Abstract

AIM. To compare the frequency and nature of prescription problems detected in community pharmacies in Estonia, Norway and Sweden where pharmacists considered it necessary to contact the prescribers for clarification, completion or correction of prescriptions before dispensing.

METHOD. Observational study in 2006–2007 in community pharmacies in  Estonia (n = 4), Norway (n = 9) and Sweden (n = 6) with data recording of problem prescriptions on the registration form followed by clarification and solving of the problem and description of the professional activities of community pharmacists.

RESULTS. Pharmacists in Estonia considered it necessary to contact the prescriber for 1.5% of problem prescriptions, which is  about 3 times higher rate than in Norway (0.5%) and Sweden (0.4%). Formal problems were identifi ed more frequently in Estonia (52.1%); problems related to wrong dose, and strength and form of the medication occurred in Estonia (21.9%) and Sweden (18.7%). In Sweden 28.6% and in Norway 25.1% of the problems were connected with missing or insufficient information concerning administration and instructions for use.

CONCLUSION. Pharmacists reveal and solve prescription problems that otherwise would compromise patient safety. The frequency of problem prescriptions was higher in Estonia mainly because of the high frequency of handwritten prescriptions. Computer generated prescriptions may reduce formal errors as well as errors of clinical importance but may also introduce new clinically important errors.