Identifying Medication Risks

Americans over 65 on average fill 15 new prescriptions a year and use a third of the medications prescribed in America.

With all those drugs, experts say, comes a huge potential for adverse drug interactions. In fact, some illnesses in older adults are actually drug-induced.

Leucadia pharmacist Gerald Graf first spotted the problem in 1982 while working in a nursing home pharmacy. Since then, Graf, now a regional pharmacy supervisor for Price Club-Costco, has devoted much of his time to informing prescription drug users about potentially harmful interactions.

Using a computer program, Graf can analyze all the medications a person is taking and identify potential problems. The program ranks the problems from low-risk to potentially fatal.

To have drug interactions analyzed, send a list of drugs, including over-the-counter medications, plus $1 per drug to Gerald Graf, Grafic Health, P.O. Box 231543, Encinitas, CA 92023-1543.

Also, information about Pills Anonymous, a support group in San Diego for those addicted to prescription drugs, can be obtained by calling Bill Hermanski at (619) 428-9515.