Prescribed drugs: A major cause of ill health

Abstract

Harm caused by ill-effects of prescribed drugs is largely unrecognised, but when lookedfor has been found to be an important cause of ill health. Perhaps 6% of all hospitaladmissions and some 800 deaths a year are caused by prescribed medication inAustralia. The elderly, especially those in institutions, are particularly prone to injuryby drugs. Attempts to use visiting pharmacists to influence the prescribing habits ofdoctors have resulted in unspectacular success. It is suggested that prescribing habitsmay more effectively be changed by visiting from specially trained practising doctors.