Geriatric patients with cancer at risk for potentially inappropriate medication use

The prevalence of polypharmacy, excessive polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medicine use was high among senior patients with cancers, according to results of a pharmacist-led comprehensive medication assessment.“Older adults with cancer are particularly prone to medication errors attributed to medication changes, complex regimens and incomplete information handoff between providers,” Ginah Nightingale, PharmD, BCOP, assistant professor in the department of pharmacy practice of the Jefferson School of Pharmacy at Thomas Jefferson University, and colleagues wrote. “Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use warrant substantial interest and concern on behalf of medical oncologists and oncology health providers because of the perils associated with their use in this vulnerable population.”