Prevalence of prescription errors in general practice in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose: Prescription errors are a common cause of adverse drug events (ADEs). Recognizing ADEs can significantly contribute to the reduction of morbidity and mortality. This study aims to investigate the type and prevalence of errors in prescription writing, directed toward a needs assessment for developing educational interventions.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Jeddah community pharmacies (January–February 2016). A random sample of 117 prescriptions were reviewed and analyzed by community pharmacists for legibility and omission of the information in the prescription.

Results: Results revealed that 51% of the prescriptions included diagnosis, in which 62% included the recommended drug dosage. Only 7% of drug interactions were reported between the prescribed drugs, 17% of the physicians prescribed drugs that prevented the adverse effects used for diagnosis. Prescriptions for chronic conditions were scrutinized to be 18%. It was noteworthy that 29% of the pharmacists reported difficulty in reading the handwriting of prescriptions.

Conclusions: The quality of prescription writing is deficient in some elements and strategies for improvement are needed. These findings underscore a crucial requirement to upgrade the quality of prescription writing by encouraging continuous medical education programs to facilitate delivery of excellent therapeutic outcomes.

Acknowledgments

The authors are very thankful to all the associated personnel in any reference that contributed in/for the purpose of this research. The Saudi Supplement on Medical Education is sponsored and supported by Al Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Notes on contributors

Fatemah O. Kamel

Fatemah O. Kamel, PhD, MSc, MBBS, is an Assistant Professor of Medical Pharmacology at Faculty of Medicine, at King Abdulaziz University, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Dr. Kamel conceptualized and designed the study, acquired, and interpreted the data, drafted the initial manuscript, revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript.

Hebah A. Alwafi

Hebah A. Alwafi, MBBS, is the a senior medical student, Medicine and Surgery at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Alwafi contributed to data collection interpretation, drafted the initial manuscript, revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript.

Mariyyah A. Alshaghab

Mariyyah A. Alshaghab, MBBS, is Senior medical student at King Abdulaziz University and summer research student at king Abdullah International Medical Research Center. Alshaghab contributed to data collection interpretation, drafted the initial manuscript, revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript.

Zahrah M. Almutawa

Zahrah M. Almutawa, MBBS, is the 6th year medical student at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA. Almutawa contributed to data collection interpretation, drafted the initial manuscript, revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript.

Lana A. Alshawwa

Lana A. Alshawwa, PhD, MSD, BDS, is an Associate Professor of Medical Education at Faculty of Medicine, at King Abdulaziz University, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Dr. Alshawwa conceptualized and designed the study revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript.

Magda M. Hagras

Magda M. Hagras, MD, PhD, MICR, MCR (Liverpool), is the Head of Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt. Dr. Hagras conceptualized and designed the study revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript.

Yoon Soo Park

Yoon Soo Parkis, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Education, University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Park contributed to the conceptualization and design of the study, revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript.

Ara S. Tekian

Ara Tekian, PhD, MHPE, is a Professor, Department of Medical Education, University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Tekian contributed to the conceptualization and design of the study, revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript.