In an effort to enhance the prescription of medication for the elderly, the Ministry of Health and Social Development is organizing a virtual workshop titled “Safe Prescribing for the Elderly” which is scheduled for Thursday, February 29, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The ministry in a media release on Wednesday said the workshop will be led by Mr. Francis Burnett, a Consultant and former head of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Pharmaceutical Procurement Service.
The workshop is said to be designed for healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and caregivers seeking to equip themselves with vital information to enhance the well-being of the elderly population.
Mrs. Gracia Wheatley-Smith, Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services, emphasized the challenges faced by the elderly, who often contend with multiple chronic conditions, leading to decreased organ functionality and an increased susceptibility to side effects and adverse drug events.
Prescribing for the elderly involves considerations such as side effects, adverse events, drug interactions, drug-disease interactions, and medications inappropriate for specific conditions, as explained by Mrs. Wheatley-Smith.
The primary goal of the workshop is to enhance physicians’ prescribing techniques for the elderly and to empower pharmacists to identify prescriptions and dosing information that may negatively impact the elderly.
“We want caretakers to recognize red flags early on, alert family members, and collaborate with doctors or pharmacists to take appropriate actions. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to elevate the standard of care provided to our elders,” Wheatley-Smith stated.
The ministry also confirmed that the workshop will cover the Beers criteria, which categorize potentially inappropriate medicines for individuals aged 65 and older. This includes medications to avoid based on specific health conditions, those causing potential drug interactions, medications with risks outweighing benefits, and drugs affecting kidney function.
Participants will gain insights into pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes in the elderly, factors influencing doctors’ prescriptions, and a review of a sample of prescriptions written for the elderly in the Virgin Islands.
A registration fee of $10 is applicable, and participants will earn Continuing Education credits upon completion. Those interested in participating can register for the workshop by contacting Mrs. Gracia Wheatley-Smith via email at grwheatley-smith@gov.vg or by telephone at 468-9850.