DRUG PRESCRIBING FOR THE ELDERLY IN SASKATCHEWAN DURING 1976

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 121  (8) , 1074-1081
Abstract
Over 11% of Saskatchewan''s population is 65 yr of age or older. To study patterns of prescribing for the elderly a computer file of more than 3.6 million prescriptions filled in Saskatchewan in 1976 was reviewed. The elderly population (aged 65 yr or more) that year was 102,070, and 77.3% received at least 1 prescription drug listed in the Saskatchewan Formulary. In comparison with a middle-aged group (persons between the ages of 35 and 54 yr) the elderly showed moderately higher average numbers of prescriptions filled and drugs used per person that year. The prescription of antihypertensive agents and diuretics increased dramatically with age, and barbiturates, in view of their potential toxicity, appeared to be overprescribed for the elderly.