PHARMACISTS: ELDERLY GIVEN HARMFUL DRUGS

Almost half the nursing home pharmacists surveyed by the government said
patients were getting "inappropriate" drugs that could lead to serious
health problems.

"Patients are experiencing numerous adverse reactions," including falls and
delirium, according to a report released Monday by the Department of Health
and Human Services' inspector general.

In the survey, 45 percent of 461 pharmacists said they sometimes or often
see inappropriate drugs given to nursing home patients. The most frequent
examples are gastrointestinal drugs, antiinflammatories and narcotics, the
survey said.

Drugs not recommended for the elderly include those used for illnesses they
are not designed to treat or those not given according to prescription.