ASSESSMENT OF PRESCRIPTION PATTERN AND MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

In the present days, India has the elderly population which accounts for 7.4% of total population; it is projected to rise to 12.4% of the population by the year 2026. India occupies the third place after the China and USA in terms of elderly population. To identify the potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) using Beers criteria 2019 & to assess the medication adherence in geriatrics and to categorize according to their adherence. The current study is a prospective observational study in which a total number of 150 geriatrics who were aged 55 years and above were included in the study. Data was collected and recorded in data collection forms after obtaining the consent from the patient. Among the 150 patients males were 89 (59.33%) and females were 61(40.66). A total number of 22 inappropriate medications were found fewer than 5 categories of Beers criteria 2019. Majority of the patients showed lower adherence (36%) in which male patients showed predominance in low adherence. The present study showed the prevalence of disease pattern, medication use, polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medications and medication adherence. The report of the study showed increased use of potential medications and low adherence was seen in about 54 in which males are predominant.