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Commentary on: Renom-Guiteras A, Thürmann PA, Miralles R, et al. Potentially inappropriate medication among people with dementia in eight European countries. Age Ageing 2018;47:68–74.1
Implications for practice and research
Clinicians must routinely evaluate prescriptions in elderly people with dementia to prevent adverse effects from polypharmacy.
Use and application of tools which evaluate ‘inappropriate prescribing’ must also be country specific (to reflect healthcare systems) and individual specific (to reflect clinical appropriateness in patient groups).
Context
Older people suffering dementia have a range of needs and pharmacological treatments to manage the array of comorbidities associated with ageing and ill health.1 Many countries have reviewed medicine regimens which are potentially harmful in older populations. However, because of differences in healthcare and pharmaceutical regulations across the globe, identifying the drugs which may be ‘potentially harmful’ has been difficult. The situation becomes even …