Question

this pharmacy recently experienced a medication error where glyburide (diabeta) was dispensed instead of glipizide (glucotrol). which of the following is an appropriate fix to prevent this medication error in the future?

• change the inventory to remove glyburide and only stock glipizide in the pharmacy.
• require the pharmacist to spell the drug they are expecting prior to dispensing.
• have a second pharmacist check the prescription before dispensing.
• insert a name alert (sigcap) at each inventory location.

Explanation:

To avoid medication errors like dispensing glyburide instead of glipizide, a second check by another pharmacist (option C) is a standard and effective safety measure. Removing a drug (A) isn't practical if both are needed. Relying on patients to spell (B) is unreliable. Name alerts (D) may not be as effective as a human double - check.

Answer:

C. Have a second pharmacist check the prescription before dispensing.