Cost and support also factors in medication

THE study of elderly patients at CUH is worrying (Irish Examiner, January 8).

Aside from the obvious importance of prescribing the right medication, being aware of all medications a patient is taking and how they interact, I wonder if the authors were aware of other factors that may affect what drugs are prescribed to elderly patients.

Some drugs are more expensive than others. Our health authorities have been known to discourage use of the more expensive drugs, which may in some cases be more appropriate.

Home help and other supports to elderly people are also budgeted tightly yet whether an elderly person takes their medication appropriately is often reliant on these supports.

With sufficient in-home support, elderly people can be assisted to eat better and more regularly, take exercise, etc.

All this promotes better health, which potentially could reduce the amount of drugs elderly people require.

Kathy Sinnott MEP

St Joseph

Ballinabearna

Ballinhassig

Co Cork