PDL reporting increases
November 14, 2013
Pharmaceutical Defence
Limited (PDL) has reported a “vast
increase” in the number of reports
from pharmacists relating to a
dispensing ‘incident’.
The data was released in PDL’s
Annual Report for 2013, with the
organisation attributing part of the
growth to the AHPRA mandatory
reporting rule, combined with the
policy of no punitive action by PDL.
The group’s chairman, Dean
Schulze, welcomed the increase
saying “it assists PDL formulating
programs and actions to address
these issues which may help set
up procedures and processes in a
pharmacy to deter similar incidents
occurring in the future.”
The report identified the ten
drugs most commonly involved in
‘wrong drug’ dispensing and the
ten most commonly involved in
‘wrong strength’ being dispensed.
Among the ‘wrong drug’ list
were Coversyl, Azopt eye drops,
Maxalon, Escitalopram, Cephalexin,
Nexium and MS Contin.
The ‘wrong strength’ group
included Methadone, Digoxin/
Lanoxin, Prednisolone, Oroxine/
Thyroxine, Lipitor, Avapro and
Seroquel.
Three drugs were notably in
both groups: Coumadin (warfarin),
Oxycontin and Amoxicillin.
PDL also celebrated 100 years
(1912 - 2012) during the year with
a series of awards presented to
employees, university students and
pharmacy representatives at their
centenary dinner held at the MCG.
The organisation achieved an
after tax profit of $894,381 for the
year ended June 2012, up from
$837,837 in the previous year.
“PDL, owing to solid investment
returns, surpassed last year’s
result by 19% producing a profit of
$788,615 for the year,” Schulze said.
“During the 2013 financial
year, PDL contributed over
$414,000 in various programs
funding educational institutions,
professional bodies as well as
pharmacy student organisations.
“Additionally, the cost of
supplying a copy of the AJP to all
members each month totalled
$515,341 for the year,” he added.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 14 Nov 13To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 14 Nov 13
