Introduction. Population aging is one of the key problems in the Polish healthcare system due to the significant increase in the cost of treatment. Expenses for the purchase of medicines represent relevant amounts in household budgets. Analysis of these facts prompted the introduction of the “Drugs 75+” program. Aim. To evaluate the effect of the “Drugs 75+” program by analyzing the change in the payment for reimbursed drugs incurred by patients and to estimate the increase in reimbursement costs from the National Health Fund. Material and methods. The research was based on data obtained from the “Convallaria” community pharmacy in Poznan. The reimbursement statements from 01/09/2015 to 31/12/2017 generated in the KS-AOW system by KAMSOFT were analyzed. 1212 patients over 75 years filling prescriptions for reimbursed medicines, medical devices and foodstuffs were included. Results. The amounts paid for reimbursed drugs in patients over 75 years have decreased. In 50.0% of patients, the payment did not exceed PLN 9.99. At the end of 2017, 59.0% of patients over 75 years used the “Drugs 75+” program. The value of medicines dispensed free of charge accounted for 51.4% of the total value of medicines dispensed. The largest increase was demonstrated in the group of lipid-lowering drugs, in ophthalmological preparations and in bone diseases. Conclusions. Comparing the fee paid by the patient when buying reimbursed drugs before and after the introduction of the “Drugs 75+” program, it was shown that the charge for reimbursed drugs in patients over 75 years has significantly decreased. From 2015 to 2017, the number of people over 75 using the benefit increased.

Key words: community pharmacy, elder, “Drugs 75+” program.