Beers Criteria Update

Most pharmacists would be likely to accept the scripts without a second thought. Bad decision.

He co-chaired the panel that revised the Beers Criteria under the aegis of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) earlier this year. The Criteria list more than a dozen drugs and therapeutic classes that should be used with caution in older adults - as well as dozens of agents that should be avoided in most geriatric patients.

"One of the overarching achievements is that we took on an evidence-based approach to evaluating drugs that may be inappropriate in older adults," Semla said. "Our ultimate goal with the Beers Criteria is to improve the care of our patients."