Are you at risk of delayed cure, disability or even death?

What is Medication Safety:

Did you know that 10% of patients in hospitals are likely to suffer medical harm? Medication errors account for 50% of overall preventable harm, both in hospitals and at home. This could result in delayed cure, disability or even death. Polypharmacy (taking more drugs than needed) increases error risks by 30%, especially for elderly patients.

You can avoid this with the right knowledge. Everybody is at risk as we all take medicines at some point. People who travel, those with long-term illnesses, surgical and intensive care, or those during emergencies are particularly vulnerable. The elderly, especially those taking multiple medications, and people who are self-medicating or under home care, face higher risks.

Can you prevent medication errors:

You can reduce medication errors by paying attention to the five stages of medication: Starting, Taking, Adding, Changing, or Stopping. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has developed tips to increase patient safety at all stages, including prescription, procurement, or administration— 5 MOMENTS (See WHO Patient Safety Guidelines, 2025, for details).

Source - WHO

You should take the following steps to avoid medication errors:

• KNOW the medications you are taking: Why are you taking them? What is the duration, proper dosage, and timing? What do you do if you miss a dose?

  
• CHECK if you are receiving the correct medicines: Before taking any medicine, verify the composition of the salt, its expiry date, and storage conditions on the label. Use barcode scanning or digital apps where available to confirm authenticity.

  
• STORE medicines separately: Keep each medication in its labelled container to prevent mix-ups. This is especially important for pills or packages that look similar or for patients sharing the same household.

  
• BE CAUTIOUS with alternative medicines: If a chemist offers a different brand because the prescribed one is unavailable, be aware that these alternatives might have different compositions or effects. Verify using technology like barcodes or consult with your healthcare provider before accepting a substitute.

  
• ASK your doctor: Check if you can stop the medicines because you are feeling better or if they seem ineffective. What if you have side effects? Always inform your healthcare provider about any other medications or supplements you are taking to prevent potential interactions.