Are we telling elderly patients enough about their medication?

A survey was carried out among 200 elderly outpatients to determine the amount of information they had received about their medication, the source of their information and whether they wanted to know more about their treatment. Seventy-one per cent (142) indicated that the reasons for the medication had been explained, although only 13% (26) had been warned about side-effects; most of this information was obtained from their doctors. Thirty-six subjects (18%) claimed that no-one had given them any information about their drugs. More information about their drugs was requested by 114 patients (57%). Forty-eight subjects (24%) were taking additional medications, mostly obtained 'over the counter'. Lack of information about drug therapy makes prescribing hazardous and not fully effective. Various ways of improving patient knowledge about medication are discussed.