[Drug therapy in homes for retired persons]

The authors analyzed the prescriptions in an old age pensioners home in Rokytnice near Prerov (240 people) in 1966-1972 and the assembled results were compared with drug expenditure in an old age pensioners home in Radkova Lhota (102 people) in 1972). Almost half the people in these homes suffer from at least three diseases which must be considered during drug pprscription; the great moribidity explains the almost fivefold expenditure on drugs per head, as compared with ambulatory care. Prescription of psychopharmaceutical preparations, antibiotics, analgetics and bronchodilatating drugs corresponds to the principles of expedient pharmacotherapy. More attention must be devoted to the dosage of cardiotonics. Geriatric drugs and vitamins, specially ascorbic acid are prescribed little.