Govt urged to regulate prescribing of dementia drugs

The Department of Health is being urged today to regulate the prescribing of anti-psychotic drugs to elderly people in care homes.

According to the Alzheimer's Society, a recent study in the west of the country found that around 10% of nursing-home residents were receiving inappropriate medication to counteract symptoms of dementia.

They were apparently being prescribed the drugs to deal with wandering, restlessness and agitation.

The Alzheimer Society says the problem partly arises from under-staffing and the Department of Health should take control of the situation.