How common are medication-related swallowing difficulties in the community?

Swallowing difficulties are common in older people and can complicate medicines management, but there is little data to show the extent of this problem in the community. So five years ago, I conducted a survey working with pharmacists to try and ascertain how common medication-related swallowing problems are in the community.

17 pharmacies took part and in total 792 questionnaires were collected from customers aged over 60. The survey showed that 60% had experienced difficulties swallowing their tablets or capsules at some time. Worryingly 69% had missed taking their medication completely because it proved too difficult to swallow and 68% had resorted to tablet crushing (a potentially hazardous practice). Yet only 40% told their doctor or pharmacist about their swallowing difficulties. 

Since the results were published in 2005, there seems to be more understanding of the need to ensure patients are willing and able to swallow their prescribed solid medication. However, I believe the time is right to see if things have changed and would like to set up another survey.

Any pharmacy interested in participating should email me at blog2@rosemontpharma.com [Note from administrator: the personal email address for Mark Greener has been withheld for data protection reasons. We have set up this email address for you to send any correspondance to him]