Prescription of potentially inappropriate medications to older adults. A nationwide survey at dispensing pharmacies in Japan

Abstract

Objectives: Prescriptions to older adults were surveyed to elucidate factors associated with potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in Japan.

Methods: Adults aged ≥65 years, who were prescribed medications at 585 dispensing pharmacies across Japan, participated (N = 180,673). Data were collected between October 1 and October 31, 2014.

Results: Proportion of polypharmacy and that of PIMs increased with age (p < 0.001). Analgesic drugs were most commonly prescribed for the older adults aged 65-74 years, whereas benzodiazepines were prescribed most commonly for those aged over 75 years. A logistic regression analysis revealed that the increase of PIMs was explained by polypharmacy and mainly the use of central nervous systems (CNS) and psychotropic drugs.

Conclusions: The increased prevalence of polypharmacy with age and the common use of CNS and psychotropic medications account for the PIMs in old age in the current nationwide survey.

Keywords: Dispensing pharmacies; Nationwide survey; Potentially inappropriate medications.