Medication errors from both prescription and over-the counter-drugs can cause harm to patients. Studies show around 11% of prescriptions contain errors.1
These errors can be in drug dosage or in the administration of a combinations of drugs with harmful interactions. Errors can also occur when drugs are given that cannot be used in conjunction with particular health conditions. An awareness of patient medical history can reduce these errors significantly, and although this is often provided by GPs for prescription only drugs, this is not always true for over-the-counter medications.
Pharmacists are trained, skilled professionals who play an important role in advising the public about medications. They may also provide a 'last line of defence' in the identification of drug errors in physician-prescribed medications. However, the ability of pharmacists to provide this service, and for doctors to prescribe medications, is partly dependent on patients’ ability to accurately report all medical history and concurrent medications.
We propose the use of an encrypted, PIN-protected card to provide a secure means by which a record of medications and (where relevant) health status could be transferred between pharmacists and doctors.
We would appreciate your thoughts on whether you would consider consenting to an opt-in scheme which would provide such a service, either for yourself or a relative to whom you may provide care.
1FitzGerald RJ. Medication errors: the importance of an accurate drug history. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2009;67(6):671-675. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2009.03424.x.
