With Canadian seniors using a large amount of prescription drugs, safety is an important aspect of medication that needs to be considered.
According to a release from the Institute for Research on Public Policy, a new study has found that Canada needs a national strategy to address inappropriate prescribing practices that lead to the unsafe use of medications by seniors.
Seniors are the heaviest users of prescription medicines in Canada, with two-thirds of seniors taking five or more prescription drugs over the course of a year and one-quarter taking 10 or more, says Nicole Bernier.
“It is estimated that as much as half of the medications given to seniors are taken incorrectly or are overprescribed, increasing the likelihood of adverse drug reactions and interactions.”
Bernier observes that governments have relied heavily on volunteer work from professional groups and patients to address the issue instead of using legislation and financial instruments to much greater effect.
She calls for a comprehensive strategy and a more proactive role for Health Canada. Building on the 2015 recommendations of the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, a good strategy would involve revising the drug approval process, monitoring newly marketed drugs prescribed to seniors, improving reports on adverse drug reactions, and encouraging independent research into off-label prescription drug use.
Provinces and territories would also be required to update their prescribing guidelines regularly, conduct medication reviews, and provide coverage for effective non-drug therapies. Health authorities were recommended to ensure that professionals have access to clinical decision-making tools, as well as accurate and comprehensive information on patients’ medical histories to improve prescribing practices.
“When it comes to seniors’ health, prescribing practices are too often based on little or no evidence, and as a result they can be inappropriate and even dangerous. Much more can and should be done to address this serious health issue for our aging population,” says Bernier.
Bernier’s study, Improving Prescription Drug Safety for Canadian Seniors, can be downloaded from the website for the Institute.
The Institute for Research on Public Policy is an independent, national, bilingual, not-for-profit organization.
