Today's Close-Up S2019E30 - Over-medicated: The Dangers of Polypharmacy

Polypharmacy is the practice of taking different types of medicines at once. Researchers have found that elderly people who are on 6 or more kinds of medication face an increased risk of unsteadiness and impaired consciousness. Some have even been mistakenly diagnosed with dementia. Others have been temporarily bedridden. And it's not just an issue affecting the elderly. Younger people who take medication and supplements together also need to be aware of the risks. What can we do to fight the dangers of polypharmacy?