Mielke N, Huscher D, Douros A, et al. - By analyzing cross-sectional baseline data of the Berlin Initiative Study, researchers investigated the frequency of polypharmacy, the pattern of prescription (PD) and over-the-counter (OTC) drug usage, and potentially inappropriate medications by age and gender in a population-based cohort of very old adults in Germany. There were 2,069 participants with an average age of 79.5 years. Of those, 97% received at least one drug and on average 6.2 drugs with approximately 40 to 66% satisfying the criteria of polypharmacy based on the definition. Findings revealed excessive polypharmacy among older adults, with not only PD but also OTC drugs adding to the high point prevalence. The treatment of chronic diseases in this age group was indicated by the observed medication patterns. A rise in medication frequency was noted between below and above 80 years particularly for drugs of cardiovascular diseases, antithrombotic medication, psychoanaleptics, and dietary supplements.