A new article in the latest edition of Australian Prescriber highlights the risks and complexities clinicians face when prescribing medicines for frail older people.
Frail people are twice as likely to have at least one inappropriate medicine prescribed – an alarming statistic given that these patients are also more likely to experience an adverse reaction because of their other medicines.
Recent evidence suggests that an increased number of medicines can result in some patients becoming more frail. In a study of men who were initially defined as robust, each additional drug was associated with a 22% greater risk of death.
The authors of the article explain that due to frail older people’s increased susceptibility to adverse reactions, coupled with the lack of guidelines to inform clinicians about appropriate prescribing for these patients, constant vigilance and review are essential.
The article outlines the ways in which frailty status should be considered when applying the six steps in the World Health Organization’s Guide to Good Prescribing.
To read the full article and others visit the Australian Prescriber website.
The authors have some availability this week for media interviews.
Experts are available for media interviews.
Media contact
Juliet Pisani-Forde: 02 8217 8249, 0406 017 791 or jpisaniforde@nps.org.au
Eve Hanks: 02 8217 9667, 0414 589 537 or ehanks@nps.org.au