It is this reporter’s opinion that more Americans are taking more medications, with fewer pharmacists providing patients with counseling regarding the drugs they are taking and their interaction.
As one survey puts it, this prescription for disaster is beginning to manifest itself in headlines across the country and ever increasing reports of medical injury and death from prescription errors.
The Parata Prescription Safety 2008 study was conducted as a nationwide survey to measure consumer perceptions as to the accuracy and safety of prescription medications.
The study of 1,000 consumers, conduced by Parata Systems, revealed opportunities for education and behavioral changes to help reduce the risk of prescription errors.
The question is, Can such prescription errors happen to you? The answer is that across the United States one-third of all adults report they have experienced a prescription error or know someone who has.
It is interesting the method by which we choose a pharmacy. The number one reason we choose a particular pharmacy is the pharmacy’s proximity to work or home.
Price is the second most common criteria cited for pharmacy selection. Another consideration is one’s familiarity or comfort with an individual pharmacist.
We know our doctors well, but our acquaintance with our pharmacist is another story. Only 24 percent of prescription customers frequent the same pharmacist with consistency.
Ninety-one percent of individuals can name the doctor who wrote their last prescription. However, 36 percent could not identify by name the pharmacist who filled it, according to the study.
Despite the fact that half of Americans take at least one prescription medicine on a daily basis, diligence regarding the dispensing of medications has not increased.
All of this seems unimportant until we’re told that one-third of consumers experience prescription errors. Statistics point to a staggering 7,000 deaths a year occurring due to medication error.
Automated pharmacy technology reduces pharmacy error risk. But the fact remains that half of consumers choose their pharmacies for speed and convenience, not safe prescription practices.
The Parata study points to the risks involved. The life saving question that no one is asking is a simple one, Does the pharmacy use automation technology? Every pharmacy should be using evaluating technology as part of their strategy to reduce errors.
Automation processes prescriptions more accurately and at faster speeds thereby freeing the pharmacist and technician to focus on answering questions and providing patient care that is key to solving the emerging prescription error crisis.
Having had a recent faulty experience with just such a prescription problem, this reporter has a right to speak.
In my own situation, it was imperative to check with the doctor every four months and have regular blood tests prior to the prescription being refilled.
Prescriptions should not be automatically renewed at the discretion of anyone but a doctor. A reevaluation of the patient’s condition and medical history must be conducted before a prescription is renewed.
In fact, it is imperative that legislation be enacted to prevent medical office staff, other than a doctor, renew a prescription for a patient. The patient’s life may depend on it.
Unless states enact such legislation, many Americans are facing a prescription for disaster. How many of you have experienced deadly prescription errors?
This is one reporter’s opinion. We welcome yours.
Listen to George Putnam at www.CRNTALK.com.
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
|
