Leading pharmacology professor warns that certain medications can 'poison' elderly patients due to insufficient knowledge on dosages and interactions.
Sir Munir Pirmohamed, Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Liverpool, recently addressed the UK House of Lords. As a renowned expert, he urged a critical review of regulations governing clinical trials for pharmaceuticals.
Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable, often prescribed up to 20 medications simultaneously. The core issue, he explains, is that most trials involve younger, healthier participants.
“These drugs are tested at standard doses in younger populations without multiple conditions,” he stated. Yet, it's the elderly who primarily use them. Aging impairs bodily functions, especially kidney efficiency, altering drug processing.
Professor Pirmohamed also highlights dangerous interactions, tested in isolation rather than in real-world combinations, leading to side effects that seniors struggle to tolerate.
“6.5% of hospital admissions stem from adverse drug reactions,” he noted. “These primarily affect older patients on multiple therapies.”
With global aging populations, health challenges for seniors will intensify. Professor Pirmohamed advocates updating trial regulations, which currently exclude those over 65 due to morbidity risks—but he argues these risks must be accepted for better evidence.
“In real life, heart failure patients average 85 years old, but trials average 65—a common gap across diseases,” he explained. “Current trial data often fails to meet real-world needs.”
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