ELDERLY PATIENTS AND MEDICINES — HOW TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF PHARMACOTHERAPY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Progressive aging of the population, multiple comorbidities, irrational pharmacotherapy and insufficient knowledge of medical workers in the field of drug safety create high risks for elderly patients receiving medical care at the outpatient and hospital segments of health care. The development of adverse drug reactions in elderly patients is facilitated by the influence of the physiological characteristics of the aging body on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs, multimorbidity and polypharmacy, medical errors in prescribing and administering medicines, the characteristics of adverse interactions of simultaneously prescribed drugs and the complexity of treatment regimens. Close interaction between doctors of various specialties, clinical pharmacologists, patients and their families, increasing the level of knowledge and a patient-oriented approach will help minimize the risks of pharmacotherapy, improve the quality and length of life of elderly patients.