Older Australians drugged too much

Older Australians are getting too many psychotropic drugs, say University of Queensland academics who say they're concerned about safety and cost. The academics condemn “very high levels of psychotropic drug prescribing among older people, particularly older women and those over 80 years of age”. They say doctors need to urgently review what drugs they're giving out, citing concerns about safety and effectiveness.

The team of medicos used Medicare data from the 2000′s for three classes of drugs: anxiolytic, hypnotic and sedative (AHS) drugs,  antipsychotics, and antidepressants.

“This issue is of growing concern, given the increasing size of the elderly population and the greater vulnerability of older people to adverse effects of drugs and to interactions from multiple drugs that are often being prescribed,” said Associate Professor Gerard Byrne, UQ’s Head of Psychiatry.

The cost of the drugs  in the financial year 2007/8, $702 million was more than all other public mental health services combined.

“We consider the current level of psychotropic prescribing for older Australians, there is a pressing need to know more about the epidemiology, sociology and optimal use of medicines that in many cases may be unnecessary, costly or potentially harmful, “ Associate Professor Byrne said.

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Source: University of Queensland