More Than 1.5 Million Americans Sickened, Injured or Killed by Medication Errors Each Year; Seniors Mo...( DailyMed(TM) Launches Innovative S...),Health

DailyMed(TM) Launches Innovative Solution to Medication Mismanagement

Epidemic

NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Acute consequences of medication mismanagement continue to mount, emphasizing the urgent need for a systematic change in the way we care for the 38+ million elderly persons in America today. At least 1.5 million Americans are sickened, injured or killed each year by errors in prescribing, dispensing and taking medications -- and seniors are most susceptible. Arcadia HealthCare today announces the nationwide launch of DailyMed, a revolutionary, first-to-market solution to problems caused by medication mismanagement.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080128/NYM119 )

Seniors, who comprise 13% of the U.S. population, currently take 40% of all drugs prescribed -- more medications than any other age group. The medication mismanagement epidemic includes adverse drug reactions, polypharmacy dangers (the use of multiple prescription drugs simultaneously) and noncompliance (failure or refusal to properly take prescribed medications). The effects are staggering:

-- Adverse drug reaction is estimated as the 4th largest cause of death

amongst the elderly

-- Medication errors have been documented to cost the U.S. healthcare

system in excess of $177.4 billion

-- 28% of geriatric hospitalizations are attributed to adverse reactions

to prescription drugs

-- The average elderly person takes 4-6 different prescriptions a day and

refills their prescriptions 12-17 times a year; it is estimated that

15-20% of these prescriptions are not needed

For many seniors, significant medication mismanagement stems from difficulties with organizing and administering necessary medications on a daily basis. "Studies repeatedly demonstrate that most patients
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