Medication use by the elderly: analysis of prescribing, dispensing, and use in a medium-sized city in the state of São Paulo

Abstract

Objective:

To describe the prescribing, dispensing, use, adhesion, and storage of medicines to and by the elderly.

Method:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in Estratégia Saúde da Família (Family Health Strategy) health centers (ESF), in Marília in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, based on the records of and interviews with 114 individuals seven to ten days after a medical consultation. A descriptive analysis was carried out.

Results:

The mean number of prescribed drugs was 4.98 per elderly patient. Of the total number of prescribed drugs, 81.5% were supplied by public services, with the nutrient (50%); antilipemic (62.1%); analgesic (30.7%); dermo-protector (66.6%); herbal (40%) and parasite and antifungal (37.5%) classes dispensed the least. A total of 83.8% of the prescribed drugs were used, while the drugs dispensed at the lowest rates were not used by the elderly, except for analgesics. A total of 40.3% of the respondents exhibited low adherence. Most stored their medicines in a suitable place.

Conclusion:

The prescribing, dispensing, use and storage of medications to and by the elderly can be considered effective, but adherence remains low, requiring new strategies and interventions.

Keywords:
Elderly; Drug Utilization; Drug Prescriptions Family Health Strategy

Resumo

Objetivo:

descrever a prática de prescrição, dispensação, utilização, adesão e armazenamento dos medicamentos por idosos.

Método:

estudo descritivo e transversal em unidades de Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), do município de Marília, São Paulo, Brasil, a partir da verificação dos prontuários e entrevistas com 114 idosos, após sete a dez dias da consulta médica. A análise foi realizada de forma descritiva.

Resultados:

a média de medicamentos prescritos foi de 4,98 por idoso. Do total dos medicamentos prescritos, 81,5% foram dispensados pelos serviços públicos, sendo, em menor proporção, as classes dos nutrientes (50%); os antilipêmicos (62,1%); os analgésicos (30,7%); os dermoprotetores (66,6%); os fitoterápicos (40%) e os antiparasitários e antifúngicos (37,5%). Dos medicamentos prescritos, 83,8% estavam sendo utilizados; sendo que os medicamentos dispensados em menor proporção também não foram utilizados pelos idosos, exceto os analgésicos. Dos entrevistados, 40,3% apresentaram comportamento de baixa adesão. A maioria armazenava os medicamentos em local apropriado.

Conclusão:

a prescrição, a dispensação, a utilização e o armazenamento dos medicamentos pelos idosos podem ser considerados efetivos, embora a adesão ainda seja baixa, demandando novas ações e intervenções.

Palavras-chave:
Idoso; Uso de Medicamentos; Prescrições de Medicamentos; Estratégia Saúde da Família

INTRODUCTION

The use of medication is a frequent occurrence among the elderly, and while it contributes to prolonging and improving life, it can also generate serious health problems, especially when it is inadequate, either due to the prescription, dispensation or taking of the drugs¹. The indiscriminate use of medicines has a clinical and economic impact, and is considered a key indicator of patient safety².

In Brazil, approximately 80% of elderly persons living in the community use at least one type of medication^2,3. The use of more than one drug is also a common practice among this group, and may lead to complications arising from adverse reactions⁴.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers that more than 50% of drugs are prescribed or dispensed inadequately and that 50% of patients use medicines incorrectly. The most common targets of inadequate drug use are individuals who use polypharmacy, the inappropriate use of antibiotics and injectable drugs, self-medication, and prescription that disagrees with best practices⁵. There are also shortcomings in the selection, supply and quality control processes and a lack of treatment guidance, which results in low adherence, misuse and ineffective treatment⁵.

Policies have been proposed aimed at achieving more adequate medication use in Brazil. At the national level, the National Medication Policy⁶ is the main instrument for guiding health actions related to the use of drugs. Its main objective is to guarantee the safety, efficacy and quality of medicines, to promote their rational use and to ensure the access of the population to those drugs that are considered essential. Among the priorities are the promotion of the rational use of medicines, which includes appropriate prescription, timely availability and affordable prices; adequate dispensing and the consumption of effective, safe and high-quality medicinal products at the recommended doses at defined intervals and within the suggested period of time⁶.

Another important aspect to consider is the timing of dispensation. Law No. 5991, dated December 17, 1973, which regulates the "sanitary control of the commercialization of drugs, medicines, pharmaceutical supplies and related products" in Brazil, adopts the following guidelines for dispensing: "the supply of drugs, pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical supplies and related items, whether remunerated or otherwise^"7.

In the context of the adequate use of medication, adherence is an even more complex condition, as it is a multifactorial process, encompassing physical, psychological, social, cultural, economic and behavioral aspects that require shared decisions and co-responsibility between the sick person, the health team and the social network⁸.

The present study aims to characterize and describe the practice of prescribing, dispensing, using, adhering to and storing medications by elderly users of the Estratégia Saúde da Família (the Family Health Strategy) (ESF) in the city of Marília, a city in the state of São Paulo, with the aim of supporting policies and actions that encourage their proper use.

METHODS

A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in ESF units in a city located in the central-west of the state of São Paulo, with a population of approximately 220,000 inhabitants. Of these, 28,600 are elderly, representing 13% of the total population (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística Brazilian) (Institute of Geography and Statistics) (IBGE)⁹.

The basic health care network of the city is composed of 12 Unidades Básicas de Saúde (Basic Health Units) (UBS) and 34 Family Health Strategy (ESF) units, which are the gateway to the health system. The ESF units serve approximately 54% of the total population of the city. The supply of medicines in each of the Basic Health Units occurs through a monthly request which falls under the responsibility of the nursing team.

In addition, the city also has a Unidade Central da Assistência Farmacêutica (Central Pharmaceutical Assistance Unit) (UCAF), which meets requirements derived mainly from hospital and outpatient care units, as well as from long-term care institutions. It is important to note that standardized and available drugs are provided, where the prescription uses the generic name, in accordance with current legislation. The city also has two Farmácia Popular do Brasil (Brazil Popular Pharmacy) units, a federal government program that provides medicines at cost price via prescriptions. In 2005, the Farmácia Municipal de Manipulação (Municipal Compounding Pharmacy) (Fitosaúde) was established, which dispenses medicines for the prescriptions of patients receiving care through the Sistema Único de Saúde (Unified Health System) (SUS) of the city of Marília and, in 2009, the Farmácia de Medicamentos Excepcionais (Exceptional Medicines Pharmacy) (Medex) of the Marília Health Region was created, which provides rare and costly drugs for some specific pathologies¹⁰.

For data collection, two ESF units from each region of the city (north, south, east and west) were drawn, giving a total of eight. For the sample calculation, the estimated population of elderly people included in the ESF was considered. Among the 28,600 elderly persons, the prevalence of medication use was 80%, with a margin of error of 10% and a confidence level of 99%. A value of 10% was added to the total to cover possible losses or refusals, resulting in a sample of 114 elderly persons.

A total of 30 elderly people from the eastern region, 25 from the southern region, 33 from the north region and 26 from the western region were interviewed, considering the proportion of the population by area of coverage, giving a total of 114 elderly people. Included in the study were elderly people who could communicate clearly or who were accompanied by a caregiver, while those who were not at home on three visits or who could not communicate clearly and were alone at home at the time of the visit were excluded. The study was carried out from July to December 2013 and was supported by Community Health Agents who took the researcher to the homes and introduced the same to the elderly persons and their relatives.

Data collection was performed by one of the authors. Initially, medical records were consulted to obtain information about the prescribed drugs and the address of the elderly, soon after they had attended a medical consultation. Seven to ten days after the medical consultation, home visits were carried out and all those who agreed to participate in the study were interviewed using a previously prepared instrument. When the elderly person was unable to provide the information, it was supplied by the caregiver or family members.

Sociodemographic and epidemiological data were collected, such as skin color/ethnicity, schooling, occupation, family income, health plan, reported diseases, hospitalization in the previous year, and the economic status of each elderly person using the Brazilian economic classification scale. In order to evaluate social class, the Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil (Brazilian Economic Classification Criterion) (CCEB) was applied, divided into six classes (A1, A2, B1, B2, C and D)¹¹. In addition, the following items were verified: the form of acquisition of the medicines prescribed at the last consultation (whether through purchase in private pharmacies or through dispensing via public and/or private services); which medications prescribed at the last visit were currently being used; if other continuous use drugs had been prescribed, and also adherence to regular medications.

In order to verify adherence, a question was asked about the correct use of medication, as proposed by Haynes et al.: Most people have trouble taking pills, in the last 30 days have you had some difficulty taking yours? If the answer is affirmative it indicates that the individual is non-adherent^12,13. To identify the degree of adherence to drug treatment, the Morisky test was employed, which is widely used by Brazilian studies in this area due to its reliability.

In this test, the patient is classified as belonging to the high degree of adherence group when all the answers are negative, while when at least one of the answers is affirmative, the patient is classified as belonging to the low adherence group. The Morisky test also allows us to discriminate whether low-adherence behavior is unintentional or intentional^12,13.

Another evaluated item was the form and storage conditions of the medications, at which point the participant was asked to show where the medicines were stored.

The drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System¹⁴, with information about the class and the active principle according to the anatomical group or system in which it acts also included. A descriptive analysis of the data was carried out.

To comply with the ethical concepts of research involving human beings, the present study received the authorization of the Municipal Health Department and was approved by the Ethics Committee on Research involving Human Beings of the Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (Marília Medicine School), under Opinion Nº 303.105 dated 13/06/2013. The participants were advised of the procedures of the study and when in agreement signed a Free and Informed Consent Form.

RESULTS

A total of 114 elderly people participated in the study. In terms of the main demographic characteristics, 62.3% (n=71) were women, 53.5% (n=61) were aged 60-69 years, 92.1% (n=105) had little or no schooling; 78.9% (n=90) were retired or pensioners; 14.9% (n=17) lived alone; 98.2% (n=102) belonged to social classes D and C; and 6.1% (n=7) had a Private Health Plan (Table 1).

Table 1
Sociodemographic variables of 114 elderly persons resident in the area covered by the eight family health units. Marília, São Paulo, 2014.

Age (years)	Number (%)
60-69	61(53.5)
70-79	39(34.2)
≥80	14(12.3)
Gender
Female	71(62.3)
Male	43(37.7)
Marital Status
Lives alone (single, widowed, separated, divorced)	58(50.9)
Married/common-law-marriage	56(49.1)
Schooling (years)
None	39(34.2)
≤4	66(57.9)
+ 4	09(07.9)
B2 C D	02(01.8) 50(45.0) 59(53.2)
Health Plan
No	107(93.9)
Yes	07(06.1)

Table 2 shows the diseases reported by the elderly persons interviewed, grouped according to the ICD 10. Of the interviewees, 85.0% (n=97) reported diseases of the Cardiovascular System, with SAH the most frequently mentioned. Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases were reported by 46.5% (n=53) of the elderly, with a predominance of Diabetes Mellitus; followed by infectious and osteoarticular diseases, mainly chronic pain. The average was two diseases described per elderly person.

Table 2
Diseases described by 114 elderly persons interviewed based on International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Marília, São Paulo, 2014.

Diseases reported	Number (%)
Cardiovascular disease	97 (85.0)
Systemic Arterial Hypertension	79 (69.3)
Cardiac insufficiency	2 (01.7)
Coronary insufficiency	4 (03.5)
Others	5 (04.4)
Heart Arrhythmia	7 (06.1)
Endocrinopathy	53 (46.5)
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus	35 (30.7)
Hypothyroidism	9 (07.9)
Dyslipidemia	9 (07.9)
Osteoarticular	19 (16.7)
Osteoarthrosis	7 (06.1)
Chronic Pain	12 (10.6)
Intestinal Gastrointestinal Tract	3 (02.6)
Gastritis	2 (01.7)
Cholecystitis	1 (00.9)
Central Nervous System	7 (06.1)
Headache, Dementia, Stroke Sequela	4 (03.5)
Epilepsy	3 (02.6)
Psychiatric	5 (04.4)
Depression	5 (04.4)
Genito-Urinary	9 (07.8)
Urinary Incontinence, Urinary Tract Infection	6 (05.2)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease	3 (02.6)
Respiratory Tract	6 (05.2)
Chronic bronchitis	2 (01.7)
Asthma	1 (00.9)
Emphysema	3 (02.6)
Infectious diseases	17 (14.9)
Respiratory Tract (Cold / Flu)	16 (14.0)
Pneumonia	1 (00.9)
Hematologic System	5 (04.4)
Anemia	5 (04.4)
Other (Chronic Ulcers, Pressure Ulcers)	3 (02.6)
Total	224 (100)*

• *Some of the 114 elderly persons described more than one disease.

According to the medical records of the 114 elderly people who had attended a medical consultation, 568 medications were prescribed, with an average of 4.98 medications per elderly person. The most prescribed drugs were those of the Cardiovascular Apparatus (38%) (n=216), followed by drugs that work in the Digestive System (10.9%) (n=62), especially antacids; and those of the Endocrine (10.6%) (n=60) and the Central Nervous Systems (10.2%) (n=58), mainly antidepressants (Table 3).

Table 3
Classes of Medications prescribed and dispensed in the Health Unit and used by patients. Marília, São Paulo, 2014.

	Prescribed	Dispensed	%*	Used	%**
Central Nervous System	58	54	93.1	54	93.1
Antidepressants (Fluoxetine, Amitriptyline)	29	26	89.6	26	89.6
Anxiolytics and Hypnotics (Diazepam, nitrazepam, clonazepam)	16	16	100	16	100
Antipsychotics, Neuropiletics and Anti-Parkinson (chlorpromazine, Clonazepam, Benzerazide, Lithium Carbonate)	8	8	100	8	100
Anticonvulsants (Phenobarbital)	5	4	80.0	4	80.6
Cardiovascular system	216	172	79.6	179	82.8
Antihypertensives (Atenolol, Propranolol, Enalapril, Losartan)	127	115	90.5	115	90.5
Antiplatelet Agents and Antithrombotics (ASA)	43	42	97.6	42	97.6
5Antilipemic (Simvastatin, Ciprofibrate)	37	14	37.8	14	37.8
Other (Flunarizine, Warfarin, Diosmin, Mon. Isosorbide)	9	1	11.1	8	88.8
Urinary system	52	49	94.2	45	86.5
Loop and Thiazide Diuretics (Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Spironolactone)	52	49	94.2	45	86.5
Digestive System	60	43	71.6	43	71.6
Antacid and Inhib. Gastric Sections (Omeprazole)	31	29	93.5	29	93.5
Nutrients (Ferrous Sulfate, Complex B)	20	10	50.0	10	50.0
Others (Buscopan, mineral oil, Saccharomyces Boulardil)	9	4	44.4	4	44.4
Muscular and Skeletal System	30	25	83.3	29	96.7
Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory, Steroid	15	14	93.3	14	93.3
Non-Opoid Analgesics, antipyretics	13	9	69.2	13	100
Sodium alendronate)	2	2	100	2	100
Respiratory system	23	23	100	23	100
Bronchodilators and antiasthmatics (aminophylline, bamiphyline, formoterol fumarate, budenosine)	18	18	100	18	100
Expectorant (Carbocysteine)	5	5	100	5	100
Endocrine system	60	56	93.3	57	95.0
Insulin and Other Diabetic Agents (Metformin, NPH Insulin)	48	44	91.7	45	93.8
Thyroid Hormone (Levothyroxine)	12	12	100	12	100
Herbal Medicines or Medicinal Herbs	25	15	60	18	72.0
Dermoprotector	9	3	33.3	9	100
Antiparasitics and Antifungals	8	5	62.5	6	75.0
Antimycotics and Antifungals (Ketoconazole, Fluconazole)	8	5	62.5	6	75.0
Antimicrobials (Amoxilin, Cyprofloxaxin, etc.)	14	11	78.6	11	78.6
Other (Antihypertensive, Anti Glaucomatous)	13	7	53.8	2	15.4
Total	568	463	81.5	476	83.8

• * Percentage of times the medication was prescribed; ** Percentage of the time the prescribed medication was used by the patient.

Of the drugs prescribed by the ESF, 75.5% (n=429) were dispensed by the unit itself, 4.4% (n=25), by Medex and 1.58% (n=9) were acquired from the Farmácia Popular, meaning that 81.5% of the medicines were dispensed by the public service.

Among the drugs prescribed, it is worth noting some classes were dispensed in smaller quantities by public health services, mainly nutrients (50%); antilipemics (62.1%); analgesics (30.8%); dermoprotectors (66.6%); phytotherapics (40%) and antiparasitics and antifungals (37.5%).

Among the drugs prescribed, some classes were used less, such as antilipemics (62.1%), nutrients (50%), herbal remedies or medicinal herbs (28%), antimycotics and antifungal drugs (25%) and antimicrobials (21.4%). Analgesics, even when not dispensed by public health services, were used by almost all the elderly.

Table 4 shows the Degree of Adherence to the treatment. Of the interviewees, 59.6% (n=68), were classified as adherent. The other 40.3% (n=46) presented moderate to low adherence, of which 22.8% (n=26) were classified as intentionally non-adherent, while in 6.14% (n=7) the low adherence was characterized as unintentional. Of the elderly persons interviewed, 11.4% (n=13) presented both types of behavior. Moderate or low adherence was also verified in 28.9% (n = 33) and 11.4% (n=13) of the elderly, respectively.

Table 4
Degree of Adherence of patients according to Morisky Green Test. Marília, São Paulo, 2014.

Degree of Adherence (positive response)	Number (%)
Adherent (none)	68 (59.6)
Moderate adhesion (1 or 2)	33 (28.9)
Low adhesion (3 to 4)	13 (11.4)
Total	114 (100)

In terms of the storage of the medications, 655 drugs were found in the homes of the elderly, representing those that were prescribed at the last medical consultation and other non-prescribed drugs in use.

According to Table 5, the majority of the elderly, 68.4% (n=448), stored their medications in the kitchen cabinet or drawer. Medicines exposed to sunlight, humidity or excessive heat were not found. It was noted, however, that 9.6% of the patients (n=11) kept their medications without their packaging (blister pack or box), making it difficult to identify them at the time of use.

Table 5
Storage location of medications used by patients. Marília, São Paulo, 2014.

Storage location	Number (%)
Kitchen Cabinet or Drawer	448 (68.4)
Bedroom Cabinet or Drawer	134 (20.4)
Bathroom Cabinet or Drawer	37 ( 5.6 )
Next to Water Filter	12 ( 1.8 )
On top of refrigerator	5 ( 0.7)
Other	19 ( 2.9 )
Total	655(100)

DISCUSSION

The present study evaluates the prescription, dispensing and use of medications by 114 elderly people. These individuals were mostly female, lived without a partner, had a low level of schooling and lived off their pensions, as other studies of the elderly population have shown¹⁵.

In terms of reported medical diagnosis, diseases of the Cardiovascular System (Hypertension), the Endocrine System (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypothyroidism) and Infectious (Cold/Flu) and Osteoarticular diseases (chronic joint pain) were the most prevalent, data that reinforces the findings of other studies^16,17. These conditions require constant monitoring by health teams and proper monitoring and control, as well as the regular dispensing of medications.

A finding of polypharmacy was expected for this segment of the population. The explanation for this condition is multifactorial, as it is mainly influenced by the accumulation of multiple chronic diseases and clinical manifestations resulting from aging, as well as a lack of preparation among health professionals to provide rational pharmacological interventions for patients who require them. A more thorough and systematic approach is therefore needed for elderly persons who genuinely require drug interventions¹⁸.

The groups of medications most used by the elderly were those that relate to the Cardiovascular and Endocrine Systems and which work in the Central Nervous, Urinary and Digestive systems. These results corroborate the morbidity profile found and the results obtained in the study carried out in Goiânia (Goias)¹⁶. They are also linear to the prevalence and accumulation of pathologies of these systems which, in this age group, often require pharmacological interventions for their control. Compensatory pharmacological intervention occurs in the digestive system in order to correct dysfunctions or to protect the system against aggressions derived from polymedication^19,20.

Such diseases clearly require constant investment in strategies that promote health, support their control and the prevention of complications, and focus on maintaining independence, so preventing and delaying potential illnesses and disabilities, as well as in the timely provision of treatment¹⁶.

When analyzing adherence to drug treatment, it was found that 22.8% exhibited non-adhesive behavior, numbers slightly greater than a study carried out in Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais), where non-adherents represented 22.5% of the sample²¹.

In the evaluation of degree of adherence to treatment, it was observed that 40.3% of the patients presented low adherence, a result consistent with that of several studies in Brazil and other developed countries²². The percentage of drug treatment adherence ranged from 26.7% in Teresina (Piaui)²³ to 43.3% in Santa Catarina (Santa Catarina)²⁴.

Adherence problems are found in all situations where there is self-administration of treatment, regardless of the type of disease or the quality of and/or accessibility to health resources. The belief that patients are solely responsible for adherence is a misconception as several factors affect their behavior and adherence. These include social, economic and cultural factors and those related to the functioning of services, health professionals, basic diseases, comorbidities; treatment and, finally, the behavior of the patients themselves²⁵.

In the present study, forgetfulness and the delayed taking of medications were described as the main causes for non-adherence to correct treatment. These are involuntary and unintentional behaviors and are similar to the problems related to non-adherence to treatment described in other Brazilian cities. They can potentially be improved by staff education and guidance strategies, in comparison with intentional non-compliance attitudes^24,25.

Another variable associated with adherence is the patient's access to drug treatment. For the majority the drugs they did not use were those that were not dispensed, except for analgesics, which, even when not provided were used regularly. The results of another study carried out in the southern and northeastern regions of Brazil revealed inequity in health as a relevant factor, reinforcing the need for policies to increase access for poor and disadvantaged populations²⁶.

In the present study, 81.5% of the prescribed drugs were dispensed by public services, 83.8% of which were used by the elderly. A similar result was found in the municipality of Florianopolis (Santa Catarina)²⁷. This result is also in line with the WHO reference value, which considers access to medicines above 80% desirable²⁸.

The common causes for the difficulty of access of the elderly to medication refer to the ignorance of where and how to acquire such drugs and the difficulty of movement of the elderly population. Approximately 25% of the medicines were not dispensed by the health unit where the elderly individuals had their medical consultation and of these, only 6% were acquired in other public services, which suggests that this population may have encountered difficulty accessing their medication, even when available in another public service. Although this condition was not the subject of the present study, the fact that waiting times and the location for the delivery of medicines, especially of exceptional medicines, may have caused suffering for those who need them and can lead to the abandonment of treatment²⁹. It should be noted that a large percentage of the prescription drugs are included in the REMUME list, which should be a motivation for administrators to ensure their supply on a regular basis, as well as making them available in a location that is easily accessible to the elderly.

Despite this, it was noted that the majority of the drugs of continuous use such as antihypertensives and antidiabetics were dispensed to approximately 90% of the elderly.

A study that also analyzed the access of the population to drugs prescribed by public services, based on the 2008 Household Sample Survey, found that only 45.3% were dispensed³⁰.

Given the expansion of this age group, the complexity of the management of Pharmaceutical Care in Brazil has grown, as the budget provided for the acquisition of drugs prescribed in the SUS tends to become increasingly significant and costly.

It was found that anti-lipemic drugs were not dispensed and were not being used by 62.1% of the elderly persons to whom they were prescribed. This data should be of concern, since a study that accompanied elderly patients with dyslipidemia treated with drug therapy and dietary control for one year found a clinically relevant reduction in lipid levels. Failure to control these levels increases cardiovascular risks³¹.

The low use of antilipemics suggests the existence of a management problem, since, for the most part, these medications are included in the list of high cost drugs distributed by Medex.

In terms of nutrients, it was found that these were not widely dispensed or used. It is important to consider that, in the presence of nutritional changes, the actions of some medications may be modified. The deficiency of proteins and micronutrients, for example, can lead to the production of alkaline urine and the reabsorption of alkaline compounds, prolonging their half-life in the body³².

In contrast, the present study found that the elderly used the analgesics prescribed, even though most of them were not dispensed. The prescribing of analgesics, as it occurs where conditions and quality of life are significantly affected, may lead the elderly to acquire such drugs themselves. The occurrence of pain and the use of analgesics has increased in recent decades due to the prolonged life of individuals and the reduced tolerance to pain and suffering that is often observed³³.

It should be emphasized that the prescription of analgesics is appropriate conduct on the part of the prescribing health professional, as the prolonged use of non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs or hormones by the elderly to control chronic pain would be inappropriate, except under very particular conditions and when closely controlled, considering the significant metabolic, hemodynamic and gastrointestinal complications that result from such interventions³⁴. As for the use of herbal remedies and medicinal herbs that were dispensed to a lesser extent by the public services, it was found that these were not used by the elderly.

Regarding suitable storage locations for the medicines, it was observed that the great majority of the elderly population kept the medicines away from the light or excessive heat, usually in the kitchen, facilitating access and serving as a reminder to take them. However, the fact that some elderly persons keep their medicines without their packaging makes their recognition and proper use difficult, potentially leading to medication swapping and over-dosage. The absence of primary packaging was found in most of the households visited. The average number of drugs stored was 7.3 per household and the most common classes were antihypertensive, oral hypoglycemic agents and diuretics³⁵.

The present study has many limitations due to its descriptive nature. The objective of the study was not the identification of the clinical aspects of the patients or the morbidities and comorbidities associated with drug intervention. Nevertheless, the prevalence of the morbidities identified was similar to those found in other recent Brazilian publications, which corroborates its external validity, or in other words, the patients studied have characteristics very similar to the average for the Brazilian population in this age group. In addition, it is not common to concomitantly and simultaneously evaluate aspects related to pharmacological intervention in the elderly, such as the prescription, dispensing, use and storage of the drugs recommended to them, which is one of the contributions of this study.

CONCLUSIONS

The classes of drugs available in the municipality account for 81.5% of the required drugs prescribed for the elderly. It is undeniable that the availability of free drugs, offered by the municipal, state and federal governments, has facilitated access to the prescribed drug treatment, which may mean greater control of diseases. The prescription, use and adequate home storage of medications, despite some problems being observed, gives the elderly a new opportunity to control acute and mainly chronic diseases, contributing to their longevity.

Adherence to therapy, a complex and multifactorial problem, also faces difficulties similar to those identified in other national and international studies.

The results obtained in the present study reveal a local health system that works, at least in terms of the prescription, dispensation and use of medication, in a concatenated, consecutive and consequential manner, with surprisingly little discontinuity, given the disparities of access and complexity of the population in relation to health care.

However, the fact that approximately 20% of medicines were not dispensed by public services indicates that these obstacles should be evaluated and overcome in order to facilitate access. The results also reveal the need for organization of the flow of medication distribution and/or the inclusion of new drugs, such as antilipemics and nutrients, facilitating access to such medications and helping to better control the diseases for which they are risk factors.

The importance of an organized system within an interconnected and integrated network of pharmaceutical care, with established guidelines, flows, routines and protocols, that aims to facilitate the access and movement of elderly persons to medication, reducing costs and providing greater quality in the care of this population, cannot be understated.

REFERENCES

• ¹
  Carvalho MFC, Romano-Lieber NSR, Mendes GB, Secoli SR, Ribeiro E, Lebrão ML, et al. Polifarmácia entre idosos do Município de São Paulo: Estudo SABE. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2012;15(4):817-27.
• ²
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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Sep-Oct 2017

History

• Received
  15 May 2017
• Reviewed
  10 July 2017
• Accepted
  05 Sept 2017