Depression in the elderly and the role of the pharmacist in drug therapy

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the occurrence of depression in elderly people together with the role and perspectives of pharmacists in the process of care for the elderly in drug treatment. Methods: Integrative bibliographic review, based on scientific articles available in the online databases Scielo, Pubmed and Periodicals, published between 2010 and 2020 using the following terms: elderly, depression, diagnoses, pharmacist, treatment and adverse events. Results An important portion of the elderly population is affected by chronic diseases associated with neuropsychiatric manifestations. These conditions that require the use of various drug therapies show the importance of diagnosis and multiprofessional follow-up, which is why the pharmacist gains a prominent role by acting to help avoid errors arising from the misunderstanding of the correct handling of medicines, and to warn about side effects of medicines. The pharmacist is the professional indicated to carry out the service of guidance, information and forms of treatment, highlighting the importance of correct use. Final considerations: The monitoring of the pharmaceutical professional becomes important in monitoring the treatment of depressed elderly people, with emphasis on increasing safety in health conditions by making timely and correct use of medications, minimizing risks, errors of use and polypharmacy.