Clinically important drug-drug interactions in poly-treated elderly outpatients: a campaign to improve appropriateness in general practice.

Aims: The aim was to assess the impact of a campaign for general practitioners (GPs) to reduce clinically-important drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in poly-treated elderly patients.

Methods: We compiled a list of 53 DDIs and analyzed reimbursed prescriptions dispensed to poly-treated (≥four drugs) elderly (>65 years) patients in the Emilia Romagna region during January 2011-June 2011 (first pre-intervention period), January 2012-June 2012 (second pre-intervention period) and January 2013-June 2013 (post-intervention period). Educational initiatives to GPs were completed in July 2012-December 2012.