Medication management in older persons: what can be achieved in the international community?

As the population ages worldwide, it is important to examine the challenges that are presented in the use of pharmaceutical treatments. This article comments on what is being done in the international community to promote rational use of medications and elimination of medication-related problems. Efforts are underway to identify elders at highest risk and to encourage communication and collaboration between the patient and the health care team, as well as collaboration among disciplines. Solutions to improve medication management are discussed, particularly those presented at a recent conference on Medication Management in Older Patients held under the aegis of the United Nations' International Institute on Ageing (INIA), Malta. These include evidence- based prescribing, interdisciplinary collaboration with increased clinical pharmacist involvement, and implementing programs that increase concordance between patient and health practitioner. Among the conference's conclusions is that more resources need to be allocated for medication management in the home arena.