Polypharmacy is a growing concern for the elderly population across the world. Nearly 50% of the elderly population takes one or more medications that are not medically necessary. Polypharmacy may be associated with duplicate prescribed drugs and prescription of contraindicated drug combinations. This can potentially increase the risk of adverse drug reactions. Research has demonstrated a strong association between polypharmacy and adverse clinical outcomes.
The negative consequences associated with polypharmacy include the burden of taking multiple medications, drug-interactions, an increased risk of adverse drug events (ADEs), medication non-adherence, reduced functional capacity, and multiple geriatric syndromes, and increased health care costs. Source: Maher et al. 2014. Expert Opinion In Drug Safety.
