(dailyRx News) As many ages, managing medications may become a part of everyday life. Chatting with a pharmacist or doctor about medical information any potential risks involved with prescriptions can be helpful.
A recent study looked at the rates of high risk medication prescriptions in Medicare Advantage participants in the US.
The results showed that around one in five patients was taking at least one high risk medication with the potential to increase the risk of a bad reaction and hospitalization if taken incorrectly.
"Talk to your pharmacist about Rx risks."
Danya M. Qato, PharmD, MPH, from the Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Rhode Island, led an investigation into the frequency of high risk medications being prescribed to elderly Medicare patients.
"Since 2005, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has required all Medicare Advantage plans to report prescribing rates of high risk medications," the authors said.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance has a list of medications that should be prescribed with caution to elderly patients due to the increased risk for hospitalization, bad reactions, healthcare costs and even death.health news
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