Potentially inappropriate medications in elderly ambulatory and institutionalized patients: an observational study.

Background: The elderly are frequently exposed to drug related problems causing hospitalizations and increased costs of care. Information about Romanian prescribing practices among the elderly and potential medication associated- risks is lacking. The objective of this study was to identify and compare the most frequent potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) recommended to ambulatory and institutionalized Romanian elderly, through an observational retrospective design.

Description of a systematic pharmaceutical care approach intended to increase the appropriateness of medication use by elderly patients.

Background & Aims: The pharmaceutical care practice represents a model of responsible pharmacist involvement in the pharmacotherapy optimization of various population groups, including the elderly, known to be at risk for drug-related problems. Romanian pharmacists could use validated pharmaceutical care experiences to confirm their role as health-care professionals. This descriptive research presents the application in two real and different environments of practice of a structured pharmaceutical care approach conceived as the basis for a medication review activity and aiming at the identification and resolution of the drug related problems in the elderly.