PRESCRIPTIONS ERRORS IN A DRUGSTORE

Abstract

Exploratory, descriptive study with the aim to check the errors rate in medical prescriptions in a private drugstore. During
a period of 30 days, it was collected 120 copies of medical prescriptions and were evaluated the variables legibility,
prescriber identification and patient, dose and posology, abbreviations, and adequacy of legislation. In total 426 errors
were identified. The most frequent errors were illegible or barely legible prescriptions (68.33%); incomplete or missing
prescriber identification (10%); incomplete or missing patient identification (42.5%,); incomplete or missing dosage
(40%); incomplete or missing dose per dosage unit (45%). Also were observed the use of prohibited abbreviations
(84.17%), and 65% of the orders did not agree with the Brazilian legislation. It was noted a high error rate in the analyzed
orders, showing the need for the evaluation the Pharmacist to detect these errors and to request corrections and to prevent
the risk of patient exposure to the problems caused by these errors such as adverse reactions, drug interactions, poisoning,
worsening of disease or death. Furthermore, it requires the awareness to compliance of good prescribing practices, and it
is suggested to carry out studies to develop strategies that minimize the occurrence of prescription errors.