Elderly Being Killed by Misuse of Antipsychotics

by Heidi Stevenson

21 November 2009

Expert review has documented that 180,000 elderly in care homes are given antipsychotic drugs, that the medication is not needed in 150,000 of them, and that 1,800 deaths are related to this misuse.

Antipsychotic drugs were developed for use with schizophrenia. People with dementia, though, are frequently given them.

The Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Society in the UK, Neil Hunt has stated that he's pleased the government is reviewing use of these drugs. He says, "This goes beyond quality of care. It is a fundamental rights issue. Our members tell us of enormous worry and distress over what is happening to their loved ones."

Even the president of the Royal College of GPs, who are responsible for most of this overprescription, says, "People deserve much better."