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A medication-related problem is an event or situation involving drug therapy that negatively interferes with a patient’s health.

Medication-related problems can be categorized eight ways:

• Untreated conditions
  The patient has a medical condition that requires drug therapy but is not receiving a drug for that condition.

• Drug use without indication
  The patient is taking a medication for no medically valid condition or reason.

• Improper drug selection
  The patient’s medical condition is being treated with the wrong drug or a drug that is not the most appropriate for the special needs of the patient.

• Subtherapeutic dosage
  The patient has a medical problem that is being treated with too little of the correct medication.

• Overdosage
  The patient has a medical problem that is being treated with too much of the correct
  medication.

• Adverse drug reactions (ADRs)
  The patient has a medical condition that is the result of an adverse drug reaction or adverse effect. In the case of older adults, ADRs contribute to already existing geriatric problems such as falls, urinary incontinence, constipation, and weight loss.

• Drug interactions
  The patient has a medical condition that is the result of a drug interacting negatively with another drug, food, or laboratory.

• Failure to receive medication
  The patient has a medical condition that is the result of not receiving a medication due to economic, psychological, sociological, or pharmaceutical reasons.

These problems can cause, aggravate, or contribute to common and costly geriatric problems. Senior care pharmacists identify and prevent medication-related problems through careful evaluation and monitoring of patients’ drug regimens. Click here to find a senior care pharmacist in your area.

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