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As discussed in the related primer on medication error, adverse drug events occur when exposure to a medication results in harm. Correct medication use occurs when the "five rights" are followed, meaning the right dose of the right medication is administered to the right patient, at the right time, and by the right route. However, this simple phrase obscures the fact that the five rights must be individualized, as they are affected by the patient's age, medical condition, physiologic status, and other factors such as allergies. While pharmacists' contribution to medication safety has been historically focused on dispensing, pharmacists' roles have expanded as medication therapy has increased in complexity, and many patients—even those with serious illness—can now receive care in the home and in community settings.

According to the American Pharmacists Association, pharmacists in all settings have eight essential medication-related responsibilities linked to improving patient safety. These eight responsibilities and examples of how they can affect patient safety are outlined in the Table.

Safety action What is involved Example of impact
Ensure access to medication Evaluate ability to pay for medication; explore alternative medications or payment means Finding patient assistance programs or working with insurers to make medication available that patients otherwise could not afford, improving adherence and safety
Supply medication information Educate patients and caregivers on safe and effective medication use Reviewing proper dosing with patients or providers can prevent medication errors and adverse drug interactions
Evaluate medication appropriateness Assess medication appropriateness, effectiveness, and safety for each individual patient
Individual consideration of "five rights" in light of patient condition, medication list, age, weight, ethnicity, diet, allergies, and kidney and liver function can result in recommendations for changes in therapy or monitoring to increase medication safety

Improve medication adherence Help patients take medication as it is prescribed Reviewing how patients are using medications can result in suggestions for changes in medication, dosing, or additional therapies that improve patient adherence
Provide health and wellness services Deliver direct health and wellness service Blood pressure screenings can reveal poorly controlled hypertension
Medication management Comprehensive review of patient's full medication regimen to ensure medications work well together and avoid problems (e.g., interaction) Pharmacist review may determine which of several medications is causing an adverse effect; simplify a patient's medication regimen; identify gaps in reaching treatment goals; or prevent prescription of medications that have adverse interactions
Assess health status Determine current patient status and medication effectiveness; provide guidance regarding medication therapy Pharmacist may detect dangerously low or high blood pressure and recommend changes in medication therapy and thereby prevent harm
Coordinating care transitions Coordinate medication management across care transitions; assist with care coordination for transitions Pharmacist-led medication reconciliation may identify potential interactions or omissions from medication list at transitions in care, which are prone to error.
Source: Pharmacists' Impact on Patient Safety: A Joint Project of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management and Academy of Pharmaceutical Research and Science. Washington, DC: American Pharmacists Association; 2016. Available here.

Pharmacists also have a crucial system-level role in planning and leading medication safety programs and improvement initiatives within health care organizations. These initiatives may include developing risk-specific protocols for high-alert medications; identifying and evaluating high-risk processes (e.g., total parenteral nutrition, compounding, pediatric dose preparation) that require special attention, protocols, and training; evaluating medication error data; evaluating and implementing new medication technologies; and fostering robust error reporting processes. Clinical trials are another area in which pharmacist leadership in designing safe protocols is critical, as there are fewer standardized safeguards in place to ensure correct medications and doses are delivered to patients.