- Elderly people’s consumption of medicinal products is increasing. Regarding all medicine consumers over the age of 64, the sale measured in DKK and defined daily doses has generally increased from 1999 to 2001.
- In 2001, elderly medicine consumers used an average between two and three defined daily doses each day and between five and eight different active substances a year. Both the consumption and the number of redeemed active substances have increased from 1999 to 2001.
- During a calendar year, approximately two-thirds of all elderly medicine consumers have used three or more active substances at least once a month.
- The number of medicine consumers, who use more than 10 different active substances a year, has increased.
- Women consume more and use more different active substances than men.
- The most sold medicinal product in DDD is the diuretic furosemide.
- Approximately 3.4 percent of all elderly medicine consumers have handed in prescriptions concerning potentially interacting medicinal products, mainly potassium-saving diuretics and potassium.
Read the entire study in Danish.
