DRUG INTERACTIONS

Many people are taking a risk by not asking questions before taking multiple medicines. According to a report by the Institute of Medicine, at least 1.5 million people in the United States are harmed annually. Preeti Malani, a researcher at the University of Michigan says, "This raises the question of how and whether info on drug interactions is being provided to patients. It's important to actively engage patients and their families in education around what types of interactions might occur." A University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that nearly half of Americans ages 65 to 80 take 4 or more prescription medications. The poll also found that in the past 2 years, more than 6 in 10 of those ages 50 to 80 who were taking prescriptions had not talked with anyone about possible negative interactions. 1 in 10, however, said they were not confident they knew how to avoid harmful interactions.