A Study on the Prescription of Herbal Medicines by Physicians for the Elderly in Tehran

Objectives: The use of herbal medicine is one the most widely used methods complementary around world. Studies have shown that elderly a variety medicines and believe these products are harmless due to being natural. This study aims evaluate amount prescribed by physicians for in Iran. Methods & Materials: secondary analysis with cross-sectional design. population consist paper prescriptions all older adults Tehran, Iran 2020. Of these, 1591 people aged >60 years referred pharmacies Tehran were selected cluster random sampling method. data analyzed using descriptive statistics (Mean, No. [%]) inferential (Chi-square test, independent t-test) SPSS software, version 24. Results: Out prescriptions, 79(5%) contained medicines. Laxatives, ginkgo, ginseng Chi-square test results showed statistically significant relationship educational level (P=0.018), having insurance (P=0.004) polypharmacy (P=0.000) prescription medicines, but gender marital status gender, age work experience had no rate general practitioners was 5.7% specialized 4.7%, found between them. Among physicians, infectious disease specialists (14%) followed physical (12%) orthopedics (9.2%). expertise (P=0.042). Conclusion: city low, interest producing various suitable forms dosages increasing knowledge about can help increase