Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9400

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Lesar TS.
Common prescribing errors.
Ann Intern Med 1992 Sep 15; 117:(6):537-8

Abstract:

The incidence of prescribing errors involving drugs available in standard and sustained-action dosage forms during a 1 yr period is reported at a single hospital; all errors were averted before dispensing from the pharmacy. There were 118 instances of inappropriate prescribing during the study period, compared with 19 such errors during a similar study conducted 5 yr previously. The most common type of error was prescribing the standard-release form (or not specifying the controlled-release form) at an inappropriate frequency or dose, and prescribing sustained-release forms when they were not appropriate. The contribution of brand name suffixes to these prescribing errors was discussed, and the need for pharmaceutical companies to consider using brand names that more clearly differentiate between controlled and standard release formulations is stressed.

Keywords:
Delayed-Action Preparations/administration & dosage* Medication Errors* Prescriptions, Drug/standards*