Thailand is rapidly transitioning into a complete aging society, resulting in a continuous increase in the number of older adults living with chronic diseases and requiring multiple medications. Medication use among the elderly is therefore more complex than in other age groups, as the concurrent use of several medications may lead to adverse drug reactions, inappropriate medication use, and duplicate therapies. Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) play a vital role in Thailand’s primary healthcare system, particularly in monitoring, supporting, and providing health-related guidance to elderly people within local communities. Therefore, strengthening the knowledge and skills of VHVs regarding appropriate medication use is an important approach to reducing medication-related risks and promoting safe medication practices at the community level.
In response to this growing concern, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Burapha University, in collaboration with Saensuk Municipality, organized the “Appropriate Medication Use and Community Health Promotion Project” for the fiscal year 2026 on April 9, 2026, for Village Health Volunteers (VHVs). The training session, entitled “Medication Use in the Elderly,” was held at the Elderly Conference Center of Saensuk Municipality, Chonburi Province, with the aim of enhancing knowledge and understanding of appropriate and safe medication use among older adults. The program included educational sessions on the principles of proper medication use in elderly patients, precautions regarding polypharmacy, age-related physiological changes affecting drug actions, and methods for observing adverse drug reactions. In addition, interactive question-and-answer activities with prizes were conducted to encourage participation and create an engaging, easy-to-understand learning environment that participants could practically apply in their daily work and community healthcare activities.
The project aimed to enable VHVs to apply their knowledge effectively in caring for elderly people within their communities and to serve as key agents in disseminating knowledge about safe medication use to local residents. Furthermore, the project sought to continuously promote appropriate and safe medication practices at the community level, while fostering collaboration among educational institutions, local government agencies, and community stakeholders in developing a sustainable elderly healthcare system.
The project also generated several positive impacts, including reducing the risks associated with inappropriate medication use, duplicate medication use, and adverse drug reactions among older adults; strengthening the community’s capacity for self-healthcare through the VHV network; increasing public access to accurate and reliable health information; and promoting appropriate long-term health behaviors. Moreover, the initiative fostered stronger collaboration among educational institutions, local authorities, and communities in developing a sustainable community-based healthcare system for the future.
Project Leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wantana Reanmongkol, Pharm.D., Pharmacy Manager of the Community Pharmacy Practice Unit
