Table 2 Frequency distribution of prescribing errors encountered in the study (N = 74)
From: Assessment of prescribing errors reported by community pharmacy professionals
Variables | Responses | |
|---|---|---|
Types of prescribing problems | Yes n (%) | No n (%) |
Errors of omission | 58 (78.4) | 16 (21.6) |
Incomplete or unavailable form/strength | 53 (71.6) | 21 (28.4) |
Violates legal requirements | 40 (54.1) | 34 (45.9) |
Quantity/duration not specified | 34 (45.9) | 40 (54.1) |
Dose/regimen not specified | 31 (41.9) | 43 (58.1) |
Illegible | 29 (39.2) | 45 (60.8) |
Errors of commission | 59 (79.7) | 15 (20.3) |
Incorrect regimen | 53 (71.6) | 21 (28.4) |
Duplicate therapy | 40 (54.1) | 34 (45.9) |
Incorrect drug/indication | 39 (52.7) | 35 (47.3) |
Incorrect form | 39 (52.7) | 35 (47.3) |
Incorrect quantity/duration | 39 (52.7) | 35 (47.3) |
Incorrect patient | 22 (29.7) | 52 (70.3) |
Drug selection | 61 (82.4) | 13 (17.6) |
Is the prescriber use inappropriate drug? | 48 (64.9) | 26 (35.1) |
More cost-effective drug available? | 40 (54.1) | 34 (45.9) |
Is the indication of the drug mentioned? | 39 (52.7) | 35 (47.3) |
Inappropriate drug form? | 39 (52.7) | 35 (47.3) |
Synergistic/preventive drug required and not given? | 37 (50.0) | 37 (50.0) |
Is there Inappropriate combination of drugs? | 34 (45.9) | 40 (54.1) |
Inappropriate duplication of therapeutic group or active ingredient? | 28 (37.8) | 46 (62.2) |
No alternative? | 17 (23.0) | 57 (77.0) |
Dose selection and treatment duration | 56 (75.7) | 18 (24.3) |
Dosage regimens not frequent enough? | 41 (55.4) | 33 (44.6) |
Deterioration/improvement of disease state requiring dose adjustment? | 40 (54.1) | 34 (45.9) |
Duration of treatment too short? | 38 (51.4) | 36 (48.6) |
Drug dose too low? | 37 (50.0) | 37 (50.0) |
Drug dose too high? | 36 (48.6) | 38 (51.4) |
Dosage regimen too frequent? | 32 (43.2) | 42 (56.8) |
Duration of treatment too long? | 29 (39.2) | 45 (60.8) |
Drug interaction | 44 (59.5) | 30 (40.5) |
Drug–drug interaction | 43 (58.1) | 31 (41.9) |
Hypersensitivity reaction | 21 (28.4) | 53 (71.6) |