PHARMACIST indemnity insurer, Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL), is urging pharmacies to consider their dispensing procedures to minimise errors.
In a practice alert issued yesterday PDL reported that its professional officers "receive numerous reports each year involving errors where there appears to be a lack of thought process and risk assessment".
"Pharmacists are considered the gatekeepers for medicines and must ensure the prescribed medicine is safe and appropriate," the alert said.
Thorough history taking, counselling and provision of additional information is as important as ensuring the prescribed medicine is dispensed correctly.
"Dispensing is not just a 'check and flick' process."
The alert noted that PDL was aware of cases where patients were prescribed eczema treatment, Elidel cream, was prescribed for children and adults, but anti-cancer medication, Efudix cream, was dispensed.
"In one case, a patient received Efudix instead of Elidel and used it on their face for several weeks," the insurer said.
"This resulted in discomfort, time off work and a demand for compensation.
"Counselling the patient and asking what the product was for should have alerted the pharmacist that there was an error given the different indications of the two products."
PDL also reported that issues related to prescriptions for Atropine eye drops for children and young adults persisted, despite previous practice alerts warning pharmacists to ensure the correct strength (usually 0.01%) is dispensed.
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