WITHOUT realising it many elderly people in the Bolton area may be taking medication that could actually make them ill.

This warning comes from Professor Arup K Banerjee, a retired local medical expert in the health of the elderly who now heads campaigning bodies Research Into Ageing and the Bolton Over 50s Federation.

He blames a variety of factors. "Older people may become forgetful," he said. "They may not remember having taken their medication and take it again, or get repeat prescriptions when they do, in fact, already have medication available."

This may also lead to using out-of-date medicines which could make them ill.

He stresses that all medications may be harmful if taken in the wrong amount, in the wrong way or by unsuitably combining them with another medication.

"It is especially important for older people that medication is monitored properly, and that it is reviewed on a reasonable basis," added Professor Banerjee.

"Pills have a fairly long shelf-life but medicine should definitely not be kept for a long time."

He asks these basic questions:

Are you handling medicines correctly?

Store all medicines in a safe place outside the reach of children.

Ensure they are clearly labelled with easy-to-understand instructions. If you are not sure, ask the pharmacist. Anyone caring for elderly people should check instructions for them, preferably with their doctor.

Return unwanted or unused medicines to the chemist.

Ensure that the patient, or someone close to them or involved in their care, knows what a particular tablet or medicine is for.

Are you taking any other medicines at the same time?

"Many elderly people may need to take several drugs then when 'another' new one is prescribed, the details of the existing ones must be declared," said Prof Banerjee.

"This doctor may not be your usual doctor and/or may not be aware of all the details of the medicines you are taking already."

It is not unusual for two very "safe" and "effective" agents to work against each other and cause problems.

Some drugs minimise or even increase the effects of another drug.

Some medicines are to be avoided or need to be taken with extreme caution in the presence of another existing ailment.

Do you take lots of medicines on a long-term basis?

"Many older people suffer from a number of chronic illnesses and remain on several drugs," he pointed out.

Ensure that the nurse or the doctor checks your medicine bottles from time to time, not just picking up the prescription without seeing anyone for months.

Prescriptions and medicines also need checking from time to time.

Just because something was prescribed six months or a year ago does not mean it will be needed forever, and certainly not for all conditions. But it is important that the patient does not try to alter this regime themselves.

Does the medicine help or relieve symptoms?

"Sometimes doctors try certain medications to observe the effects. If this is not helpful, that is changed or stopped. There is nothing wrong or rude about reporting back to your doctor. Good doctors welcome such co-operation from patients."

Always ask the doctor how long medicine should take to work and whether he will give you another appointment to follow up.

Even without such an appointment, if there is a lack of response to the medicine or side-effects, go back.

Do you buy medicines over the counter in supermarkets to treat yourself?

"There is nothing wrong with the occasional use of common, well-known remedies, but be aware - some of those could react with other, more complex medicine."

Declare all medicine usage to the doctor.

Never take someone else's tablets. The symptoms of totally different diseases may be quite similar.

Do you always remember what tablets you are on?

"It may not be a bad idea to carry a list of all your medicines, injections etc in your wallet or purse for any emergency situation, exactly the way diabetics are instructed to carry a card."

Ask your chemist, or nurse, to prepare a list of all your medications, injections etc and retain it with you all the time. You can show that list to any new doctor or nurse if you need to.

Professor Banerjee added: "Modern medicines and drugs are usually quite safe and effective and, accordingly, there is absolutely no need for any fear or anxiety about their consumption."