PERILS OF POLYPHARMACY - 10 STEPS TO PRUDENT PRESCRIBING

A focused systematic intervention by the primary care physician can of ten remedy the problem of polypharmacy, in older patients. Such an app roach includes medication disclosure, drug identification, side effect recognition, treatment review, and a thoughtful, well-monitored reduc tion in the numbers and doses of medicines. By developing skillful pre scribing habits, the physician can resolve drug side effects, prevent future adverse reactions, reduce pharmacy expenditures, and improve me dication compliance. Prudent prescribing is one way to improve quality of life for the older patient.