From Mr A. G. Hopkins, MRPharmS
SIR,—I was very intrigued by a letter written by Mrs Hammond (PJ, August
26, p297) about the difficulties
experienced by older patients with their medication.
Having now reached a ripe old age of 86 and my wife 88, I can appreciate the
difficulty that elderly people have in taking their medication. For example,
arthritic hands cannot cope with blister packs, the names of the drugs are quickly
destroyed by use, little thought has been given to the sick and elderly on the
difficulties of taking their medicines, and labelling is inadequate. Small print
and cramped labels often make it impossible to read directions. A patient with
glaucoma needs a special light and magnifying glass. There also seems to be
a paucity of black ink.
My wife has several different medicines ordered by four consultants and her
copy of the prescription slip has 11 repeats. As a pharmacist I usually rewrite
the labels very boldly in capital letters using a black felt tip pen and sort
the medication into times to be taken. Thus I am extremely sorry for others
in the same predicament as they do not have the assistance of professional advice.
I am sure, therefore, that most medication is wasted or misused and the results
the consultant expects are nullified. Thus the patient gets little benefit and
much money is wasted. As pharmacists we should be leading in ideas to help the
elderly; an answer must be found.
I am also concerned with the inserts citing possible side effects. These can
cause distress and worry about a particular drug. It probably exonerates the
manufacturers. This information can upset many people, especially if elderly.
Reading the possible side effects on fluoxetine, I realise I also had them and
was not even taking the drug. Come on, who has not felt tired, drowsy and perhaps
nauseous at times. However, as I know from talks with other people, they get
these effects and they refuse medication and worry unnecessarily.
A reasoned talk and advice with a mature pharmacist about the side effects would
most probably reassure them to continue treatment. Professional pharmaceutical
advice is better than all the leaflets.
A. G. Hopkins
Aldershot, Hampshire