Pharmaceutical counseling for the elderly: methodological aspects and practical recommendations

The study highlights the importance of developing geriatric pharmacy and quality pharmaceutical counseling for elderly patients. The objective of the work is to optimize counseling for over-the-counter drug dispensing. A survey of pharmacists showed that elderly patients make up a significant portion of pharmacy visitors, and the prevalence of self-medication among them is high. Elderly people prefer inexpensive and domestic drugs, and cases of improper storage were found in their home medicine cabinets. Recommendations have been developed to improve the storage and disposal of drugs and medical devices, which will increase the safety and effectiveness of pharmaceutical care for this population group. BACKGROUND. The relevance of the study is due to the global problem of population aging and the need to develop geriatric care, as stated in the „Strategy for Action in the Interests of Senior Citizens until 2025“. Geriatric pharmacy, including information and consulting services for elderly patients and their caregivers, is becoming an important part of this care. Elderly people often resort to self-medication, which requires high-quality pharmaceutical counseling. However, insufficient training of pharmacists in counseling geriatric patients can lead to unwanted side effects due to irrational use of drugs and their improper storage.