Concerns of drug errors have become a hot topic in the medical community as well as in the lay press. This is particularly true for those who are hospitalized. It is estimated that drug errors cost $2 billion each year, and the results of these errors on patients range from no effect to death. So, there is currently a large educational campaign going on in the Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physician areas to help curb this problem. But what can patients do who are taking medications?

First of all, in January 1997, the FDA issued a requirement that all patients be given a handout of useful, easy-to-read material about the prescription drug they are purchasing. This handout includes why the drug is being prescribed, reasons the drug should NOT be taken, common side effects and what to do if they occur, and what the medicine is supposed to look like. Therefore, the first bit of advice is to read the included material thoroughly.

Other helpful hints:

• First and foremost is not to be afraid to ask questions. Some people feel intimidated to ask questions of their doctor or pharmacist in fear of asking a "dumb" question. There are no dumb questions. You can ask your nurse, doctor or pharmacist. Make sure you completely understand your health problems and how the medication is supposed to work.
  
  

• Ask your doctor specifically what medication is being prescribed. If you can't remember it well, ask him or her to write it down for you. There are over 8,000 prescription drug products available with new ones showing up on the market on almost a daily basis. Many of these medications look-alike and/or sound-alike. Pharmacists have a list of these sound alike drugs, but it may be helpful if you have the name and amount of drug written down somewhere other than the prescription so you can check the label for accuracy.
  
  

• Read the prescription your doctor has given you. Make sure your prescription is legible. If you cannot read the prescription, ask your doctor to print the name of the medication and the directions for taking the medication. Confirm with the pharmacist that he knows exactly what is being prescribed.
  
  

• Even if the prescription drug is given in teaspoons, it is best to use a measuring device rather than a common kitchen teaspoon.
  
  

• If your doctor gives you a device to help you give the medication (e.g. measuring syringe or spoon), be certain of exactly how to measure out the medication.
  
  

• Be sure and make your doctor AND pharmacist aware of any allergies you may have.
  
  

• Tell your doctor AND pharmacist about any other medications (including over-the-counter) you are taking or have taken in the last 72 hours.
  
  

• When you receive the medication, ask the pharmacist if the amount prescribed looks correct. They have references that may be used to double check usual doses based upon the weight of the child. If there is any question, they will call the doctor for confirmation.
  
  

• Talk with your pharmacist about the medication. This conversation can help you catch errors that may have occurred when the pharmacist reads and transcribes the written or phone-in prescription.
  
  

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the different names for the same drug. Almost every medication has both a generic and brand name. Many have several brand names. Therefore, you may get a prescription with a name on the label that is different from what the doctor told you it would be. Confirm with the pharmacist that the medication you received is the one you were expecting.
  
  

• And finally, read the label of the prescription. Make the pharmacist aware of any inaccuracies concerning your name or the name of the drug. Make sure you use your medication as the directions indicate they should be taken. Medication may not work as well if it is taken in the wrong dosage.