Case report of a medication error by look-alike packaging

Patient safety is at risk due to medication errors, and roughly 30% are due to similar packaging and labeling, as well as illegible handwriting. The term LASA (“look-alike sound-alike”) delineates a confusion of medication due to the similar labeling and packaging of different drugs, or similar labeling and packaging of the same drug containing different strengths.
These errors occur along the line of prescribing, preparing, distributing and administering medication. This report demonstrates the reciprocity of patient safety and cost efficiency. Savings on changing to a generic brand are calculated and measures to avoid medication errors are demonstrated (Springer Link, 13 March 2015).
Click here for a short report of the article.
Click here for more information about Pharmaceutical packaging regulations - Module of NVC E-Course Pharmaceutical Packaging (online).

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