Dispensing Errors and Self-medication Practices-Pharmacists' Experience in Tabuk: A Cross-sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy practice
• Patient safety
• Medication management

Background:

• Community pharmacists perform diverse roles, including dispensing and patient well-being promotion.
• Self-medication is prevalent globally, potentially leading to irrational drug use.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are accessible, necessitating an understanding of their use and sources of information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors contributing to dispensing errors.
• To explore strategies for minimizing dispensing errors.
• To understand patient motivations for self-medication and common OTC drug choices.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted.
• 286 community pharmacists in Tabuk participated.
• Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Physician's unclear handwriting was a primary cause of dispensing errors.
• Clear and printed prescriptions significantly reduce dispensing errors.
• Patients' past experiences with similar symptoms drove self-medication, with analgesics and antipyretics being common OTC choices.

Conclusions:

• Dispensing errors and self-medication are common in Tabuk.
• OTC antibiotic dispensing poses a risk of irrational drug use.
• Clear prescriptions and enhanced pharmacist-led public awareness are crucial for safe medication practices.