Medication use by Australian war veterans in residential aged-care facilities

Abstract

Background: There has been concerns about the appropriateness of medication use in Australian residential aged-care facilities. Data on overall medication use in aged-care has been unavailable. Aim: To examine medication use for Australian war veterans in residential aged-care facilities. Method: An observational study using the Department of Veterans' Affairs' pharmacy claims database was undertaken. Veterans resident in aged-care facilities between April and June 2005 were included. Veterans using gastrointestinal, analgesic, psychotropic, antiinfective and cardiac drugs were assessed. Results: All 16 126 veterans (5% of the veteran population) identified as residing continuously in aged-c..