Drug Safety Approach in Pharmacology

Pharmacologists are key players in activities related to detection, prevention and in understanding possible drug related problems. A systems pharmacology modelling approach is recommended in ensuring drug safety. The system prevents issues of adverse drug reaction through proper monitoring of drugs as they are dispensed to hospitals and other health facilities (Bohomol, 2014). A pharmacist’s role in pharmacovigilance goes beyond dispensing drugs to creating an environment that has reduced medication errors. They are responsible for counselling patients of possible medication errors therefore ensuring drug safety and quality care of the patients. A strategy that looks into main causes of medication errors is important when developing a strategic approach in ensuring drug safety in the field of pharmacology. The systems modelling approach comprises of a series of steps that ensure that the patient gets the right medication without compromising their health (Scott, 2013). The first step in ensuring drug safety is by processing the right prescriptions as instructed by the physician. Second step is collecting and integrating patient’s drug history. Thirdly, the pharmacists monitors patient’s drug utilization. Lastly, the patients need to be advised on how to conduct issues related to polypharmacism. The suggested approach intends to reduce errors in medication and adverse effects related to improper medications. Advanced nurses are responsible for administering drugs and the model suggests that they will be able to deliver quality care to patients. Reduced incidents of medication errors implies that there is improved health safety and care from the nurses. The probability of giving the wrong medication by the nurse is thereby minimal hence an increased reliability of the nurse from the patients. References Bohomol, E. (2014). Medication errors: descriptive study of medication classes and high-alert medication. Escola Anna Nery - Revista De Enfermagem, 18(2), 2-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1414-8145.20140045 Scott, W. (2013). Introducing Pharmacology for Nursing and Healthcare. Nursing Standard, 27(48), 28-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.7748/ns2013.07.27.48.28.s37