Medication non-compliance in older patients: a multifactorial problem

Abstract

The World Health Organisation (WHO) (2003, 2008) has described non-compliance to medication as a worldwide problem. In the UK alone, 50% of older patients—specifically those in the over-75 age range who are prescribed four or more drugs— do not adhere to their medication regime (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2007). Epidemiological data has identified that upwards of 16 million people have a long-term condition in England, and prescribed medication will therefore form an integral role in their health management (Clyne et al, 2007). It has been established that over a third of all medicines prescribed for long-term conditions are either not taken or are administered incorrectly (Social Care Institute for Excellence, 2005). This represents an impact on effective patient health care, an increase in hospital admissions, and economic costs for society (Griffiths, 2010). Non-adherence to medication is multifactorial and, although it is only one element of poor compliance, age is considered to be a specific issue. This recognises the fact that older patients may have multiple morbidities and resultant polypharmacy (Hughes, 2004). This article seeks to explore some of the issues associated with poor adherence to medication in older people.