Most Older Americans Take Multiple Prescriptions but Haven't Received Medication Review, Unaware Medicare Covers It

The National Poll on Healthy Aging found most older Americans take two or more prescription medications, yet only a small number have had a pharmacist review potential drug interactions, reports Becker's Hospital Review . Michigan Medicine polled 2,048 Americans ages 50 to 80, and estimated that two-thirds take two or more prescription drugs and about 20 percent take five or more. Medication reviews are covered for qualifying Medicare Part D beneficiaries, but patients have been historically unlikely to participate. The survey indicated 85 percent of Medicare Part D enrollees who had not had a medication review were unaware that they could be eligible for one. Moreover, just 29 percent of respondents who take five or more prescription drugs have had a medication review with their pharmacist. "These results show the importance of continuing efforts by physicians, pharmacists, other healthcare providers, insurers, and policymakers to help older adults understand the importance of medication reviews," said survey co-author Antoinette Coe.