Timely detected medication error: Prescribing or dispensing?

Abstract

Medication error is failure in the treatment process that leads to or has the potential to harm the patient.[1] The treatment process encompasses all spectrum of medical care, i.e., diagnosis, treatment as well as prevention of disease. It also includes manufacturing or compounding, prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, and administration of a drug and the monitoring of its effect. Error in any of the component of the treatment process can lead to either the adverse event or the treatment failure.[2] This error arises when action is intended but not performed either due to poor planning because of inadequate knowledge, or because of imperfect execution of a well-formulated plan because of negligence.

Keywords: Research Letters