In recent studies, older people are those with a high prevalence of adverse reactions both in primary care and hospitalized. Other studies reviewed show that adverse reactions of medications were classified as potentially preventable and may require hospitalization for hours or days in hospitals (Maher, Hanlon, & Hajjar, 2014).
Therefore, the safe and rational use of pharmacotherapy in the elderly requires the establishment of explicit and reliable criteria to avoid polypharmacy. For this reason, it is essential that medication for the elderly be carried out jointly and coordinated among the different specialists involved in the treatment of these patients, especially between geriatrician, internist and family doctor. If these cares are respected, it is possible to take advantage of the full benefit potential of modern medicines and avoid adverse effects.
