When you take many medicines

POLYPHARMACY, the concurrent use of multiple medications, is a growing global public health concern. According to a 2023 article in The Lancet, polypharmacy increases the economic burden on healthcare systems by driving up drug costs and expenses associated with managing medication-related harm.

Polypharmacy generally refers to the use of at least five medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and traditional or complementary remedies. While appropriate polypharmacy can be beneficial by achieving specific therapeutic objectives, inappropriate polypharmacy, where unnecessary medications are prescribed, raises the risk of adverse effects.