Abstract

HOME MEDICATION REVIEW IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS AT TIRUPATI-A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Sai Divyasree Pendota*, Anjum Sulthana Shaik, Venkateswara Reddy Levidi, Sreelakshmi Gajulapalle, Geervani Merala and G. Divya

ABSTRACT

Home medication review – a collaborative service involving the general practitioner, pharmacist and the patient. Home medication review services were first introduced by Australian federal government in an attempt to decrease unnecessary drug induced hospital admissions. The main objective of the study is to find the common disease patterns and to assess the common usage of medications. A cross sectional study was conducted from August 2017 to January 2018 at various old age homes (Navajeevan old age home, missionaries of charity and community) and community homes at Tirupati. Overall 150 geriatric patients were included in the study, of which most of them are unaware of Home Medication Review. The most commonly used drugs by elderly were vitamin supplements (21.88%) followed by Anti diabetics (18.98%) and Anti hypertensive’s (16.95%). The most existing disease found in the elderly were hypertension with diabetes (28%), hypertension (14%), diabetes (14%) followed by stroke (8.6%).In this study no one is aware of Home medication review and they are keen to accept it if suggested by their physician. This can be overcome by providing Home medication services to the elderly population. Home medication review greatly reduces the load of tertiary care services for the elderly, which in India are sadly lacking.

Keywords: Home medication review, geriatric, awareness, clinical pharmacist, general practitioner.