DISPENSING TECHNIQUES: Role of Dispensers & Dispensing Errors.

Ahmad Zakuan KhairuddinB Pharm (Hons) USM

M Sc (Pharmacy) USM

Is this a Good Pharmaceutical Practice?Is this a Good Pharmaceutical Practice?

Remember, always trimyour label(s) accordingto the size of yourPharmaceutical finalcontainer(s)….ORotherwise….

POSSIBLE SOURCE OF ERROR IN DISPENSING

Errors in drug procurement.Errors in preparation.Errors in drug dispensing.

ERRORS IN DRUG PROCUREMENT.

Error in drug ordering over the phone.

Failure to check the medicine on arrival.

Put in wrong location.

PROBLEM IN DRUG DISPENSING

Failure to get the correct medicine.Changing brand names.Similar medicine names.Similar tablet appearance.

ERROR IN LABELLING. Instruction not clear.

Before meals/after meals. Warning notices not complete.

ACEI – contraindicated in pregnancy.

Allopurinol and sulphonamide –skin reactions.

No labels after batch preparation. Drug action not complete.

OTHER ERRORS.

Error in quantity. Improved with computer software.

Error in preparation.Error during transfer of medicine.Error in drug compounding and

dilution. Error in quality of medicine.

Expired medicine.

Improve: drug procurement

Drug ordering by phone and by fax. Forms will be generated by computer

using the database from the clinic management system.

Clinic nurse will retain the form. Drugs arrival checked & signed by 2

staff members. Doctors to verify occasionally.

Improve: drug dispensing

Use generic names as far as possible. Use furosemide (Frusemide) instead of

Lasix Use diclofenac instead of Voltaren. Use domperidone instead of motilium

Eliminate drugs with similar drug names. Beware of drugs with similar appearance.

Improve – drug dispensing procedure

Staff training. State the drug attributes to be

checked. Drugs should be cross-checked after

dispensing. Checked by the doctor before issue to

patients.

Staff training Attending courses

In house training The number of medications used in individual

clinic is limited. Staff will have more thorough understanding of

the drug used in her clinic. Doctor can give more precise information.

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