[The beers criteria--an instrument to optimise the pharmacotherapy of geriatric patients].

Abstract

Geriatric patients represent an important population group in counselling and care of pharmacists. Despite this high need, there are only few investigations in this special patient population and derived aids for competent and practice-oriented pharmaceutical care. The Beers criteria developed in the US represent an instrument to detect potentially inappropriate medication in older adults. In order to propagate in Germany a translation and adaptation to the German drug market was performed. Systematic consensus building by an expert panel will be necessary for wide acceptability. Applying the Beers criteria presents an opportunity of pharmacist to optimise the pharmacotherapy of geriatric patients.