Medication errors account for approximately 20% of all clinical negligence claims against doctors in both primary and secondary care. The costs associated with adverse events and inappropriate prescribing in the UK has been estimated at more than £750 million per year. This factsheet gives advice about avoiding prescribing errors.

Medication errors make up a fifth of all errors occurring in general practice and many of these are preventable. Extra care must be taken when repeat prescribing, especially if you were not the original prescriber and have not seen the patient. This factsheet outlines the pitfalls, and gives advice on avoiding errors.

Mrs J, a 62-year-old housewife, did not visit her GP often. However, she consulted Dr D with a two-week history of coryzal symptoms.

Medication errors account for approximately 20% of all clinical negligence claims against doctors in both primary and secondary care. The costs associated with adverse events and inappropriate prescribing have been estimated at more than £750 million per year. This factsheet gives advice about avoiding prescribing errors.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (2001), GPs have a responsibility for controlled drugs (CDs) within their practice. This factsheet highlights what you should be aware of when carrying, storing and recording controlled drugs.

In Northern Ireland, unlike England and Wales, out-of-hours (OOH) organisations may expect GPs to carry and use controlled drugs (CDs) from their own stock. This factsheet highlights what you should be aware of when carrying, storing and recording controlled drugs.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (2001), GPs have a responsibility for controlled drugs (CDs) within their practice. This factsheet highlights what you should be aware of when carrying, storing and recording controlled drugs.

Mrs E, a 29-year-old solicitor, who was 35 weeks pregnant, was admitted to hospital for antihypertensive treatment as she had developed pre-eclampsia. She had a history of epilepsy, which was well controlled by treatment with phenytoin and phenobarbitone. She had been prescribed these medications since her teenage years and had decided to continue with them throughout her pregnancy after appropriate advice and counselling.

Mrs B was a 49-year-old deputy headteacher who, for 18 months, had been increasingly troubled by heavy irregular menstrual bleeding. She was referred to a gynaecologist who carried out a pelvic US and an endomentrial biopsy. In her follow-up appointment with the gynaecologist, Mrs B was told that her investigations had been normal and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was suggested to regulate her bleeding. The gynaecologist told Mrs B that he would be writing to her GP with his opinion and treatment recommendations.

Mr P was a 30-year-old high-earning banker, married with three dependants. He had a one-year history of rheumatoid arthritis, for which he took methotrexate.

Miss F was a 30-year-old bank clerk. She worked very hard and found little time to take exercise. She was obese, weighing 105kg and with a BMI of 45. She went to see Dr Y, asking for contraception as she had a new partner.

Following a minor respiratory tract infection, Mr Y, a 54-year old postman, developed leftsided hearing loss. Mr Y was referred to a consultant ENT surgeon, Mr A, who confirmed a left-sided middle ear effusion.

Mrs S was a 29-year-old secretary with two children. She was obese, with a BMI of 35, and smoked 45 cigarettes a day. She went to see Dr D asking for contraception several months after the birth of her second child. Dr D checked her blood pressure, which was normal, and prescribed a combined oral contraceptive pill.

Mr K, a 37-year-old professional, was admitted for an elective anterior resection of the bowel. Dr A, a consultant anaesthetist, performed the anaesthetic, inserting an epidural catheter to manage postoperative pain with a continuous infusion.