Geriatric Drug Therapy Interventions
James W. Cooper, Editor
1997, Pharmaceutical Products Press (The Haworth Press)
Binghamton, N.Y.
Reviewed by: Barry J. Goldlist, MD, FRCPC, FACP
This textbook was co-published simultaneously as the 'Journal of Geriatric Drug Therapy' Volume 11, November 4, 1997. This textbook is clearly intended for pharmacists, not for physicians. As a result it can be irritating to the physician reader. Specifically, it treats all adverse drug reactions as though they were avoidable (and presumably a result of physician error!). Even more annoying for the physician, the book implies that history, physical examination, and individual patient characteristics are not important factors in drug prescribing.
Nevertheless, this is still a valuable text. It clearly delineates the enormous cost of adverse drug reactions in human and financial terms, and provides some useful information on the proven benefits of pharmacist participation in the care of elderly patients. Particular emphasis (I believe correctly so) is placed on the elderly having a consistent pharmacist provider to decrease the likelihood of adverse drug interactions.
I would not recommend that physicians involved in care of the elderly purchase this particular text, but it would be worth reviewing if available in the local medical pharmacy. It is not, and does not intend to be, a guide to preventing adverse drug interactions.
