'Prescription errors more likely to affect the young and old'

One in eight of all patients had a prescription with an error, although the level of risk depends of these factors:

• Age - children and people over 75 are almost twice as likely to be affected
• Number of medications - there is a 16% increased risk for each additional medicine

Those between the ages of 15 and 64, and on not many medications, are least likely to be affected.