Drug prescribing for the elderly in Saskatchewan during 1976

Over 11% of Saskatchewan's population is 65 years of age or older. To study patterns of prescribing for the elderly a computer file of more than 3.6 million prescriptions filled in Saskatchewan in 1976 was reviewed. The elderly population (aged 65 years or more) that year was 102 070, and 77.3% received at least one prescription drug listed in the Saskatchewan Formulary. In comparison with a "middle-aged" group (persons between the ages of 35 and 54 years) the elderly showed moderately higher average numbers of prescriptions filled and drugs used per person that year. However, the prescription of antihypertensive agents and diuretics increased dramatically with age, and barbiturates, in view of their potential toxicity, appeared to be overprescribed for the elderly.