Need of Pharmacist on Medication Management for Elderly Patients Residing In Rural Area: A Review

Abstract

Medication management services are area oriented towards patient safety, medication appropriateness, effect of drug and adherence with the help of pharmacist and other healthcare providers to improve the health outcomes. In older aged population chronic non communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, COPD etc. are common and this leading to Polypharmacy and medication inappropriateness. Polypharmacy is further results to drug interaction with drug, food and body fluids and increase drug related problems. These medication problem leads to decreased level of medication adherence. Pharmacist plays an important role in minimizing drug related mortality and morbidity. As per the 2010 data out of 57 million deaths, chronic non communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, COPD, cancer, Diabetes mellitus contributes more for mortality that is 36 million (63%). In these more than three quarters of deaths occurred in elderly patients. . As per the survey conducted by govt. of India in 2017 shows 5% of population are above 65 years and estimated that by the time of 2050 India holds 20% of population are above 65years. These numbers provide evidence of the chronic shortage of trained healthcare professionals such as physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists due to the poor economic situation in India. The evolution of the role of the pharmacist, with the rapid development of pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical care, points to the significance of the responsibilities of a pharmacist in ensuring medication use for patients is safe, effective, and rational. Significant accomplishments will be achieved in rural areas relation to the development of strategies to improve medication use and enhance the positive health outcomes in the elderly population.