Polypharmacy in Geriatrics“Medicinal death is a twenty-first century epidemic, and America's war on drugs is clearly aimed at the wrong enemy” (White, 2013). This is a surprising reality, especially in the complex nature of medication management and drug interactions. The term polypharmacy, or the use of multiple medications, is recognized as a considerable and ever-increasing problem in our current healthcare system. Although the term “polypharmacy” is used frequently, definitions of the word can vary significantly. Many descriptions were noted, including: medications that do not match the diagnosis, numerous medications, duplicate medications, drug-drug interactions, and excessive duration of use. Some explanations of polypharmacy place importance on the amount of concomitant medications, with the most universally mentioned number being six or more (Robert-Ebadi, Le Gal, & Righini, 2009). Regardless of the definition of polypharmacy, one issue remains important; How can prescribers more effectively evaluate the risks and benefits of additional pharmacological interventions to reduce concerns associated with polypharmacy, particularly in the geriatric population? The United States General Accounting Office reveals that significant mortality and morbidity are associated with the inappropriate use of prescription drugs. Furthermore, polypharmacy is recognized as a costly habit; the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the United States estimates that polypharmacy costs national health plans over fifty billion dollars each year (Robert-Ebadi, 2009). While the potential risks of polypharmacy are unequivocal, coincidentally, so are the benefits to patients when drug therapies are combined to treat… half of article… Hini, M. (2009, May 14). Use of anticoagulants in elderly patients: practical recommendations. Retrieved November 11, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2685237/Sottosanti, M. (2005, September 10). Alternative Medicine and the Elderly - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 11, 2013, from http://voices.yahoo.com/alternative-medicine-elderly-6153.html?cat=5Upinder, S. (2010, January). Guidelines for geriatric polypharmacy. Retrieved February 26, 2014, from http://www.healthplanofnevada.com/documents/provider%20files/Polypharmacy%20Guideline%20Jan%202010%20final.pdWhite, S. (2013, May 7). Prescription drugs kill over 100,000 people every year, are you being treated incorrectly? | Collective evolution. Retrieved February 26, 2014, from http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/05/07/death-by-prescription-drugs-is-a-growing-problem/