Background and importance Inappropriate use of drugs in elderly patients has health consequences for the patient and for the health system.

Aim and objectives The main objective was to review medication in older adults, especially potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) using the screening tool of older persons’ prescriptions (STOPP). The secondary objective was to assess the possibility of detecting prescription errors by the pharmacist in community pharmacies and in primary care, through the use of the electronic prescription.

Material and methods A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital. We included patients aged over 75 years who have been admitted as inpatients to an internal medicine department for 60 days. Study variables were: age, sex, prescription drugs to hospital discharge, electronic prescriptions and PIMs according to the STOPP criteria (2014).

Results 55 patients were selected, with an average age of 84.47±4 96 years and a male/female ratio of 0.89. 437 prescriptions were analysed. Regarding the number of prescribed drugs per patient: 27.27% (n=15) patients were prescribed 0–4 drugs; 41.82% (n=23) 5–9 drugs; and 30.91% (n=17) ≥10 drugs. Analysing PIMs according to the STOPP criteria (2014): 187 PIMs (42.79%) were detected. 163 PIMs (87.17%) could be detected by electronic prescriptions. In the group of patients with 0–4 prescribed drugs, 19.25% (n=36) of PIMs were detected; 42.78% (n=80) in the group of 5–9 drugs; and 37.97%(n=71) in patients with ≥10 drugs. The most common PIMs were: concomitant administration of two drugs of the same class 14, 97% (n=28); and any medication prescribed longer than that indicated 12.29% (n=23).

Conclusion and relevance The results of the study showed a significant number of PPIs and a profile of polymedicated patients (≥5 prescribed drugs), associating polypharmacy with an increase in the number of PIMs. Therefore, there is a need to analyse and correct inappropriate medications and discrepancies in medical prescriptions to hospital discharge in our elderly patients. For this, the hospital pharmacist is a key element. In addition, the intervention of pharmacists from pharmacies and health centres who can verify the electronic prescription is possible and can make an important contribution.

Conflict of interest No conflict of interest