Drugs can affect older people differently, causing dangerous adverse effects that could cause serious injury or even death. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has just released its new book, Fundamental Geriatric Pharmacology: An Evidence-Based Approach, by Lisa C. Hutchison, Pharm.D., MPH, FCCP, BCPS and Rebecca B. Sleeper, Pharm.D., FASCP, BCPS.
The Institute of Medicine pointed to need to better prepare the health care workforce to appropriately care for the growing geriatric population, in its 2008 report, Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Healthcare Workforce. “The huge growth of the older population, coupled with their very specific medication needs, highlighted the critical need for this book,” said Hutchison. “We wanted to help prepare pharmacists and other health care providers to better care for these patients,” said Sleeper-Irons. The U.S. Census Bureau projects the world’s population of people 65 years and older will double by the year 2050, and the 85 and older population will increase fivefold in the same time period.
With these important factors in mind, the authors explore the social, ethical, and economic issues of aging, as they impact effective treatment, in Part 1 of the book. Part 2 addresses general biomedical and pharmacotherapy issues. The book includes case studies, special recommendations for frail elderly patients, practical tips for clinical issues, and summaries of treatment guidelines.
