New Study Reveals Prevalence of Harmful Medication Among Seniors, Wins Attention of Attorney Michael Gopin

PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 02, 2013

As a personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, Michael Gopin understands that there are many ways Americans can face harm due to another's negligence--especially when it comes to the medical field. Throughout his work, Gopin has faced numerous cases not only involving instances of medical malpractice, but of dangerous prescription drugs as well. While Gopin notes that this type of risk has always been present, he points to a new study from Brown University that reveals a higher potential of medical mistreatment pertaining to elderly patients.

According to Brown's study--consisting of more than six million senior citizens who were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans in 2009--more than a fifth of the subjects had received dangerous prescriptions. It states, "Twenty-one percent received a prescription for at least one potentially harmful 'high-risk medication.' Nearly five percent received at least two. Questionable prescriptions are more common in the South and among people who live in poor areas." Brown University's article detailing the implications of the study results suggest that many trends--notably those surrounding geography and patient circumstances.

Noting that these trends are significantly more noticeable in Texas--the state in which he practices--Michael Gopin comments, "Such a geographic discrepancy in elderly patient prescription plans reveals that some doctors may not be providing the utmost care and analysis when it comes to laying out the best course of treatment. This study certainly suggests that reform not only needs to happen nationwide--but that a greater concentration of improvement needs to be placed in the southern regions of the US."

In the study, lead author Danya Qato suggests, "While one can reason that it might be appropriate for a particular patient to be on a particular medication, with such a preponderance of use of high-risk medications in some locations versus others, our results suggest that we cannot attribute this variation wholly to patient characteristics."

Qato and study researchers indicate significant room for improvement in the prescription process and encourage greater responsibility and safety on behalf of the patient. However, Michael Gopin believes that some instances may be open to medical malpractice. "While the study does note that some prescriptions may benefit certain patients, the responsibility cannot always rest on the patient, especially if they trust the recommendations of their medical provider. As such, if any person believes their faulty prescription was the result of personal injury, they may want to contact a legal representative to review the circumstances," Michael Gopin concludes.

ABOUT:

Founder of the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, Michael Gopin is an attorney who provides support and representation to clients throughout El Paso, Texas, and surrounding areas. The legal team that Michael J. Gopin has developed offers an accumulated 20 years of experience in the field and focuses on cases in the area of personal injury law. As such, the team takes on clients who are involved in legal situations regarding dangerous drugs, workplace injuries, medical malpractice, motorcycle accidents and more. Michael J. Gopin encourages anyone who is involved in a legal challenge to call upon the support and representation of a qualified and dependable legal professional.