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The medication information line for the elderly: an 8-year cumulative analysis
1Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|July 29, 1998
Summary
Many older adults need medication information, but their needs are unmet. Pharmacists can help, but older consumers often don't realize their pharmacist is a resource for drug information.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Pharmacy
- Medication Safety
- Consumer Health Information
Background:
- The Medication Information Line for the Elderly (MILE) service was established to address medication information needs in older adults.
- Analysis of MILE calls provides insight into the drug information requirements of the elderly population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze 8 years of call data from the Medication Information Line for the Elderly (MILE).
- To understand the demographics, drug-related inquiries, and information needs of elderly callers.
Main Methods:
- A cumulative analysis of 12,743 calls received by MILE between 1985 and 1992.
- Data collection included caller demographics, drug types, and inquiry nature, with pharmacist follow-up for serious calls.
Main Results:
- Most calls originated from women aged 65+, primarily from Winnipeg.
- Common inquiries concerned adverse drug reactions, interactions, and therapeutic use of specific drug classes like NSAIDs, cardiac drugs, and benzodiazepines.
- Despite having regular pharmacists, many older adults did not consult them for medication information.
Conclusions:
- Significant unmet medication information needs exist among older drug consumers.
- Current outreach may not reach all elderly individuals requiring assistance.
- Increased awareness of the pharmacist's role in providing drug information is crucial for this demographic.
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