Assessment of role of clinical pharmacist in the evaluation of prescriptions in a tertiary care teaching hospital: a prospective observational study

Background: Prescribing of medicines is an integral part of the provision of health care. For effective and safe treatment, it is essential that prescribing and administration of drug should be evaluated from time to time. Prescription errors account for 70% medication errors that could potentially results in adverse drug reactions. Aim and objectives: The purpose of the study to identify errors, major factors which are responsible for the occurrence of medication errors, and to analyse the role of clinical pharmacist in medication errors and to observe the adverse drug reactions. Methodology: A Prospective observational study was conducted in MNR medical College and Hospital, Sangareddy district. The data was collected from the inpatients of General Medicine department by using standard case report form through direct patient interview and collected data was analysed to identify medication errors and adverse drug reactions. Results: 500 prescriptions were analysed, in that 300 prescriptions presented with different types of medication errors.  For medication errors the prevalence of females is more than males. Age group between 31-50 showing medication errors. 141 were found to be prescribing errors, 62 administration errors, 69 dispensing errors and 28 monitoring errors. Incidence of dose and strength errors (50.35%), wrong time administration errors (51.61%), wrong drug administration errors (21.73%), monitoring not requested (50%). Prescribing errors were more common in general medicine department. Essential and non-essential drugs, level of severity, were found to be statistically significant (P value <0.05). Conclusion: Clinical pharmacist should act as an effective medical staff by conducting awareness and education programs for nursing staff and other health care professionals regarding detection, reporting and occurrence of medication errors.