Improving Prescribing Patterns for the Elderly Through an Online Drug Utilization Review Intervention

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Abstract
INDIVIDUALS aged 65 years and older constitute 12% of the US population; however, they consume approximately 30% of prescribed medications.1 Older patients are prone to adverse drug events (ADEs) because use of multiple medications regardless of age increases the chance of ADEs2,3 and age-related physiologic changes alter the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of many drugs.4 The incidence of ADEs in the elderly varies from 5% to 35%, depending on the method used to define and measure the event.5 Adverse drug events may result in the need for additional medications, disability, decreased quality of life and functioning, hospitalization, or death.5