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Published on: November 10, 2016
Dispensing error rates in pharmacy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Irene S Um1, Alexander Clough1, Edwin C K Tan1
1The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, Australia.
The global prevalence of medication dispensing errors in pharmacies is 1.6%. This systematic review highlights the need for standardized definitions to reduce variations in reporting dispensing errors worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Dispensing errors in pharmacies can lead to severe patient harm, including adverse drug events, hospitalizations, and fatalities.
- Quantifying the global prevalence of these errors is crucial for understanding their impact and developing mitigation strategies.
Conclusions:
- The worldwide prevalence of medication dispensing errors is estimated at 1.6%.
- Significant heterogeneity exists in dispensing error rates, influenced by methodological factors such as the denominator used and study design.
- Standardized definitions and classifications of dispensing errors are essential to improve data consistency and facilitate global efforts to reduce patient harm.
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