Pharmacoepidemiology in the postmarketing assessment of the safety and efficacy of drugs in older adults.

Much of the information on safety and efficacy of drugs in older people is obtained after marketing. Pharmacoepidemiologic studies play an increasing role in obtaining this information. Pharmacoepidemiologic studies contribute significantly to knowledge of risks associated with medicines in older people and less so to that of benefits. Recent improvements in methodology in both pharmacoepidemiology and geriatric medicine have improved the validity and reduced the bias of these studies. Pharmacoepidemiologic studies are a critical component of assessing the risks of medicines in older people. Where possible, findings of pharmacoepidemiologic studies should be tested with well-conducted interventional randomized trials in relevant populations of older people.