Health risks for over 65s - ask your pharmacist about drug side effects

A study published today links many commonly used medicines to an increased risk of cognitive impairment and death in older people – but pharmacists are advising that there is no need to rush to the doctor for advice.

Leyla Hannbeck, Head of Information at the National Pharmacy Association said:

“The newspaper headlines about this research may worry some people, but there is no need to panic.  If you are on one or more of the prescription medicines listed in the research it is important to keep taking it until you seek your doctor’s advice at your next routine appointment. In the meantime if you are at all concerned your local pharmacist will be able to advise you.

"Don’t stop taking any of your current prescription medicines without discussing the situation with your doctor first. 

“The research does not suggest that any one medicine by itself is very likely to cause a problem.  The concern noted by the researchers was about the cumulative effect of taking a number of different medicines with so-called ‘anticholinergic potential’.

“GPs conduct regular reviews of the medication taken by their older patients, both prescribed and over the counter.  Some people don’t realise that they should also tell their GP about any non-prescription medicines they buy at the pharmacy for regular use. 

"Many older people also go to their pharmacy for a free Medicines Use Review which gives them an opportunity to talk with the pharmacist, in private and in detail about their medicines use.

“Anyone who is taking prescription medicines should make sure that they buy their over the counter medicines from a pharmacy where they can get advice on whether particular drug combinations could cause a problem. This applies to all medicines, not only those listed in the research published today.”

The University of East Anglia study published today in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society looked at 13000 people aged 65 and over and analysed over 80 drugs with anticholinergic potential – the potential to block a key neurotransmitter in the brain. 

01727 795901 / 07920 203 051 

The NPA is the UK’s leading trade body for community pharmacy.  Its core purpose is to represent, support and protect the interests of all community pharmacy across the UK.