The Best Way To Avoid Taking A Boatload Of Medications

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It is called poly-pharmacy, a term for people taking a boatload of medications on a daily basis. It often happens when elderly people are hospitalized or see multiple specialists, without a family physician coordinating care.

In today's world, where it is quite possible that you might have a personal physician outside the hospital and a hospitalist who doesn't know you when you are admitted to the hospital, it is easy to see happening. It also occurs in big cities where people go from specialist to specialist without a so called quarterback to handle care.

A careful look at medications is often warranted and you should do it with your doctor or pharmacist at least every six months. It will also help prevent "prescribing inertia" which happens when you are already taking the drug, so when it comes up for a refill—it is automatically refilled.