Drug utilisation in the geriatric population in the nursing homes and central hospitals of urban Harare.

This paper outlines the pattern of drug utilisation in the elderly inpatient population in the nursing homes, Bumhudzo and BS Leon Trust and the two central hospitals, Harare and Parirenyatwa, in urban Harare, during the period, February to September 1990. The total population of elderly patients in the four institutions was calculated at 324 (52 pc) 170 of which were males and 48 pc were females. Of these patients 273 (84 pc) were Black, 44 (14 pc) were White and seven (2 pc) were Asians. Drug use pattern was estimated using the defined daily dose (DDD) system. The pattern of drug use was matched with the disease pattern to detect any discrepancies in drug utilisation. Of the 324 patients interviewed 114 (35 pc) were not on medication. The total number of drug formulations taken by the studied population was 1,117 with a mean of 3.45 drugs per individual at any one moment. Polypharmacology seems rife. The study indicated irrational and over utilisation of centrally acting drugs and vitamins and minerals. The most utilised group of drugs are the cardiovasculars (22 pc of the total) The most common disease conditions encountered in the elderly were hypertension, 7 pc, congestive heart failure, 7 pc, epigastric pain, 6 pc, senile dementia, 5 pc and pneumonia, 5 pc. The responses on sources of drug information available for the elderly revealed that pharmacists are totally unknown to the elderly in this respect. Measures that could be taken to improve elderly drug use are suggested.