title: [Drug administration errors--what information is required to enable patients to safely take their drugs?].
abstract: More than 100 different routes of drug administration are known for which highly specialised galenic formulations and sophisticated containers and application devices have been developed. Consequently substantial knowledge is required to use them in a proper and most successful way. The trend of moving the responsibility for drug application to patients and care givers necessitates their appropriate and comprehensive information to enable them to administer medication safely, skilfully, and correctly. This also includes practical skills for instance to open blisters and containers, to split tablets when needed, and to inhale, inject, or ingest the drugs. This article compiles the areas of information which should be covered, communicated, and checked by the prescribing physician and the dispensing pharmacist to maximise the patients' odds for a successful therapy.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Innere Medizin VI, Klinische Pharmakologie und Pharmakoepidemiologie, Medizinische Klinik (Krehl-Klinik), Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg. Walter.Emil.Haefeli@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Haefeli
mesh_terms: D004348:Drug Labeling; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D005858:Germany; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000592:standards*; D017751:Safety Management