Study of drug prescribing in patients older than 65 in Languedoc-Roussillon

Purpose. - To analyse the medical prescriptions reimbursed by the Languedoc-Roussillon health care to the patient above 65 years old and analyse potential drugs interactions. To deduct the presenting actual educational modalities and information needed to ameliorate the quality of prescriptions for the elderly. Methods. - The data from the second trimester 1999 were taken from the LR health care data base on pharmaceutical agents which records the prescriptions dispensed in the pharmacies by teletransmission of codes CIP (Club International Pharmaceutique). The drug interactions of the prescriptions for the elderly of 65 or above in January 1999 by the LR health care Gard region. Results. - The prescriptions differ according to the sex and age. The drugs of psychotrope family and veinotonics (10% more) laxatives and NSAID's (2 to 3% more) for women. The majority of prescribed drugs diminish after a pick at the age of 85, The antihyperlipidemic drugs are an exception because their prescription diminishes immediately after 70's. The analyse of medical interactions shows lots of problem: sulfonylureas with fibrates (533 prescriptions), oral anticoagulant and fibrates (23). between sulfomylureas (273), or NSAID's (174) and a lot of contraindicated drugs (Ozidia(R) 37). Conclusions. - Some medical treatments because of their large number of prescription need to be continually educated to the practitioners. Some drugs which are inadvisable because of their adverse effects have had an individual treatment. This database is a good way to analyse the drug iatrogeny and its prevention. (C) 2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.