OTC switches likely to benefit elderly patients
For elderly patients treating self-limiting conditions the benefits of switching medicines from prescription only to over-the-counter status are likely to outweigh the risks, say researchers. Nevertheless, the risks of OTC treatment for long-term conditions still need to be evaluated.
Sally-Anne Francis, University of London, and colleagues conducted a
literature review to examine whether switching prescription drugs to
OTC status would be good for elderly patients (Drugs and Aging 2005;22:361).
The researchers found evidence that the elderly population are significant
consumers of OTC medicines, which they most commonly purchase to treat
minor ailments. They cite possible benefits of OTC status as wider choice,
increased access, increased patient independence and decreased GP visits.
Overall, they believe that the benefits of switching outweigh the risks
for treating short-term conditions provided systems to monitor their
safe and effective use are in place.
However, the researchers say that although the potential adverse effects
associated with individual drugs have been identified, the risks associated
with increased access to OTC drugs have not been quantified. Concerns
have been expressed relating to safety, effectiveness, drug interactions,
delays in diagnosis, compliance problems, polypharmacy, treatment of
multiple health problems, effect of hepatic or renal impairment, wasted
expenditure and unfulfilled
expectations.
“Long-term pharmacoepidemiological studies of patterns of OTC drug
use need to be undertaken in order to quantify the risks associated with
greater access to OTC drugs for the elderly,” they suggest. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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