Encouraging pharmacist intervention and standardization of labeling and dispensing of oral liquid medications

Abstract

Objectives: To initiate a call to action for community pharmacists and key-pharmacy stakeholders in the standardization of oral-liquid dosage forms.

Data sources: Not applicable.

Summary: Unintentional overdose of medication due to administration error results in thousands of pediatric hospitalizations yearly. A lack of prescription and dosage device standardization pertaining to oral-liquid medications continue to be a public health hazard. Multiple professional organizations have publicly endorsed the standardization of oral liquid dosage forms. Universal adoption will not be achieved until key-pharmacy stakeholders encourage their pharmacists to use best practices when verifying and preparing prescription medication. Specifically, these practices should include immediate conversion of prescriptions containing non-metric volumes into metric volumes, providing appropriate sized oral dosing syringes for all oral liquid prescriptions, writing dosing directions in the safest format, and counseling patients and caretakers of proper medication administration.

Conclusion: Community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to lead the universal adoption of these best practices to ensure proper oral-liquid dosing administration for all patients.