Drug errors might arise from database problems

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Experts suspect database deficiencies linked to drug errors.
Over one million people a year are harmed by drug errors, which arise for a variety of reasons. These include misinterpretation of physician handwriting and patient's taking the wrong dose. Now researchers at the University of Virginia Health System suggest another important cause of drug errors - medication databases which are commonly used by physicians.

They found that only two out of 15 popular databases actually reported the recall of the painkiller valdecoxib on the same day as this was announced. Although the patients wouldn't be able to obtain valdecoxib from the pharmacy, the delay in announcing the recall suggests the databases might be prone to other deficiencies that may promote drug errors. They could be out of date on important information such as new contraindications or adverse reactions. Better upkeep of medication databases could be an important way forward in reducing drug errors.

Source
Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association 28th July 2006