• 02
  Feb 2023

• Medication Safety and Medico-Legal Implication

  
  

  Manisha Pal | DPharm

Medication errors and unsafe practices are the leading cause of harm.I Ms Manisha Pal was invited as one of the panelists for the topic on ‘Medication Safety and Medico-Legal Implications’. As a panellist I was asked for:

Q1.What can be the role of pharmacists on prevention of errors from high-risk medication like anticoagulants?

A1. As a Pharmacist, it is responsible in IP / OP pharmacy to cross-check along with the prescription. If it's High-Risk Medication a double verification has to be done before dispensing. Affix the sticker of HAM on medicines so that at all levels care is been taken for patient safety. The patient has to be counselled for anticoagulant drugs. Clinical Pharmacist plays a major role in medication safety at all stage from prescription, dispensing and administration. His daily round in the ward for prescription audit on checking for Medication Errors / Drug Drug interaction. Clinical Pharmacist has to monitor on daily basis for a patient on an anticoagulant to verify if any adverse drug reactions. If any adverse drug reaction observed should be properly reported to pharmacotherapy and also should be discussed with other doctors. To ensure safe and effective use of medicines within the health service organization, identify opportunities for patient harm and implement strategies to prevent errors & even doctors should be made aware of Adverse event / Adverse drug reaction reporting system. The Pharmacovigilance Program of India should be made easily available to all healthcare professionals which can help them understand pharmacovigilance better.

Q2. What are the major challenges in improving prescription practice & adverse drug reactions among doctors and solutions?

A2. Listed out the responsibilities that a doctor should undertake regarding prescription practice & adverse drug reactions:

• A doctor should be familiar with the drug including its pharmacokinetics, mode of action and possible side effects.
• Healthcare professionals should be aware of the prescribing dose and that a higher dosage is always associated with higher risks.
• Adverse drug reactions should be identified and addressed with proper pharmacotherapy. A doctor should properly document all the observed adverse drug reactions.
• Doctors must properly convey all the probable adverse drug reactions associated with the patients (especially the high-risk drugs) and clearly state why the benefits of the drug outweigh the risks using evidence-based medicine.
• A doctor should seek the help of a clinical pharmacologist in case of any doubts regarding any unknown side effects.
• Data about the patient’s allergy and medical history should be available with the doctor.
• A doctor should clearly communicate with the patient and listen when they complain of any unusual symptoms.
• Doctors should read the fine print and the details present on the packaging of the drug that is provided by the manufacturer.