Canadian Institute for Health Information publishes report on medication use by seniors
Abstract: t is important that Canadians have access to safe, appropriate andeffective drug therapies; the right drug, for the right condition, forthe right person, at the right time. It is also recognized that drugscan lead to adverse drug reactions regardless of appropriate use.Adverse reactions not only lead to an increased risk of morbidity andmortality, but can also lead to an increased economic burden throughadditional drug use, hospitalization and repeated physician visits.
Evidence shows that older adults (65 years and older, hereafterreferred to as “seniors”) are more at risk for adverse effects due tocomplex drug therapies and age-related changes to the way drugs areprocessed by the body. A 2002 literature review noted that “28% of allemergency department visits were drug related, of which as many as 24%resulted in hospital admission.” The study showed that 70% of thedrug-related emergency visits are preventable and that, “women andelderly individuals seemed to be at greatest risk.”
Although prescribing information is not readily available, drug claimsdata can provide insight into prescribing trends of drugs in seniors.Making use of some of the methods developed by the Health QualityCouncil in Saskatchewan for their 2005 report, Improving the Quality ofDrug Management of Saskatchewan Seniors Living in the Community, thisanalysis will examine claims trends of seniors in Alberta,Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick from 2000 to 2006.Specifically, it will look at drugs identified by Dr. Mark H. Beers asdrugs that are “potentially inappropriate” to prescribe to seniors dueto an elevated risk of adverse effects. This list of drugs has becomeinternationally recognized as the “Beers list.” This analysis examinesseniors who made at least one claim for a drug from the Beers list(“Beers users”), as well as seniors who made claims for a drug from theBeers list on a regular basis (“chronic Beers users”).