Study finds many older adults not getting medication reviews

Many older adults are not receiving comprehensive medication reviews (CMR), according to a new report from University of Michigan researchers.

Their study, published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, found that fewer than 21% of people age 65 years and older received a CMR.

The study found that for older adults with health insurance, 77% were on two or more prescription medications. Of them, only one in five had received a CMR, while over one-third were interested in a medication review in the future.

Findings also revealed that most older adults—about 83%—were not aware that Medicare will cover a CMR.

For more than 15 years, Medicare Part D plans have included medication evaluations with a pharmacist who will take into account prescription medications as well as supplements and OTC medications.

The study found that older patients using two or more prescriptions and who are in good health or have low incomes were less likely to have a medication review. This was compared to older adults who took a similar number of medications but were less healthy or had higher incomes.

Researchers also found that older adults who take 5 or more prescription drugs were significantly more likely than those who take between two and four drugs to have had a CMR.