Pharmaceutical care and pharmacotherapy for the elderly: an integrative review

This paper aims to select and synthesize evidence from the literature on the current context of pharmaceutical care and pharmacotherapy of the elderly, considering the clinical and social aspects involved. The review was conducted according to the guidelines of the PRISMA protocol, which consists of the search, selection, evaluation and synthesis of relevant studies on the topic. Fifteen articles that have met the established inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. The analysis of the articles allowed the identification that pharmaceutical care is a service that aims to optimize the rational use of medicines and improve the quality of life of patients, especially the elderly, who present a higher risk of polypharmacy, drug interactions, and adverse reactions. The pharmacotherapy of the elderly involves physiological, psychological, social, and economic aspects that must be considered when prescribing, dispensing, and monitoring medications. However, there is still a precariousness in the integration of the pharmacist in health teams. It is concluded that pharmaceutical care is an important strategy to be implemented in all public and private health teams, to promote the safe and effective use of medicines by the elderly, contributing to a healthy and dignified aging.