CONFUSION OVER SIMILAR DRUG NAMES - PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Confusion over similar drug names is one of the reasons for errors in the prescribing or administration of drugs. The risks of such errors c ould be reduced by some simple measures. National and international ag encies: Licensing authorities should exercise more control over the na ming of new proprietary formulations Nonproprietary names should be in ternationalised New proprietary names should be internationalised Comm on prefixes in names should be avoided if possible. Pharmaceutical man ufacturers: Manufacturers should play their part in ensuring that new names are carefully chosen and internationalised Over-the-counter form ulations should be given unique names Generic formulations should be m arketed under their nonproprietary names, not new proprietary names. D octors : Should inform patients about the nature and risks of their th erapy Should issue printed prescriptions if possible, or use clearly-p enned block capitals in handwritten prescriptions. In most cases they should use nonproprietary names when prescribing. Abbreviations of dru g names should never be used. Pharmacists: Should discuss the nature a nd risks of patients' therapy with them and check that they recognise the medicines they are taking Should ask patients to hand in their old medicines containers when they fill a new prescription In hospital, c linical pharmacists can help to check doctors' prescriptions and to li aise between doctors and nurses, advising on correct therapy. Special cases: Special care should be taken with sulphonylureas: manufacturers should produce distinctive formulations and pharmacists should keep t hem in a separate section in the dispensary.