[Frequency, relevance, causes of and strategies for prevention of medication errors]

Drug therapy has led to major advances in medicine. The beneficial effects of drug therapy are coupled with the inevitable risk of adverse drug reactions especially in elderly patients. Many adverse drug reactions are preventable. The electronic health card that will be introduced in Germany starting in 2006 is designed to support electronic decision support to prevent medication errors. Studies have demonstrated that CPOES can reduce medication errors by 80%. The necessary steps to improve medication safety in Germany are outlined and discussed.