A world-first study by the University of Otago has found that elderly people who take multiple medications are twice as likely to fall and break bones.

This is due to the side effects of the pills which can sometimes not materialise for a few weeks of taking the medication.

Lead researcher Doctor Hamish Jamieson told Mike Hosking they looked at the link between medication and fractures.

'We looked at a whole lot of different effects, the more medications you are on, the higher the risk."

LISTEN ABOVE AS DOCTOR HAMISH JAMIESON SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING