title: Drug Use among Seniors on Public Drug Programs in Canada, 2012.
abstract: Seniors take more drugs than younger Canadians because, on average, they have a higher number of chronic conditions. Although taking multiple medications may be necessary to manage these conditions, it is important to consider the benefits and risks of each medication and the therapeutic goals of the patient. This article provides an in-depth look at the number and types of drugs used by seniors using drug claims data from the CIHI's National Prescription Drug Utilization Information System Database, representing approximately 70% of seniors in Canada. In 2012, almost two-thirds (65.9%) of seniors on public drug programs had claims for five or more drug classes, while 27.2% had claims for 10 or more, and 8.6% had claims for 15 or more. The most commonly used drug class was statins, used by nearly half (46.6%) of seniors. Nearly two-thirds (60.9%) of seniors living in long-term care (LTC) facilities had claims for 10 or more drug classes. Proton pump inhibitors were the most commonly used drug class among seniors living in LTC facilities (used by 37.0% of seniors in LTC facilities), while statins ranked seventh (29.8%).
authors.affiliation: Program Lead in the Pharmaceuticals Department at the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), in Ottawa, Ontario. He leads and coordinates the analysis and writing of pharmaceutical-related reports at CIHI.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Proulx
authors.affiliation: Manager of the Pharmaceuticals Department at the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), in Ottawa, Ontario. He oversees the development of pharmaceutical databases and pharmaceutical-related reports at CIHI.
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hunt
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors