title: The prevalence of major potential drug-drug interactions at a University health centre pharmacy in Jamaica.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify major potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) on prescriptions filled at the University Health Centre Pharmacy, Mona Campus, Jamaica.
  
  
  METHODS
  This investigation utilised a cross-sectional analysis on all prescriptions with more than one drug that were filled at the Health Centre Pharmacy between November 2012 and February 2013. Potential DDIs were identified using the online Drug Interactions Checker database of Drugs.com.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the period of the study, a total of 2814 prescriptions were analysed for potential DDIs. The prevalence of potential DDIs found during the study period was 49.82%. Major potential DDIs accounted for 4.7 % of the total number of interactions detected, while moderate potential DDIs and minor potential DDIs were 80.8 % and 14.5 % respectively. The three most frequently occurring major potential DDIs were amlodipine and simvastatin (n=46), amiloride and losartan (n=27) and amiloride and lisinopril (n=16).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has highlighted the need for educational initiatives to ensure that physicians and pharmacists collaborate in an effort to minimise the risks to the patients. These interactions are avoidable for the most part, as the use of online tools can facilitate the selection of therapeutic alternatives or guide decisions for closer patient monitoring and thus reduce the risks of adverse events.
authors.affiliation: Chief Pharmacist, University Health Centre, University of the West Indies . Mona Campus. Kingston ( Jamaica ). traciagay.kennedydixon@uwimona.edu.jm.
authors.forename: Tracia-Gay
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Kennedy-Dixon
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies . Mona Campus. Kingston ( Jamaica ). maxine.gossell@uwimona.edu.jm.
authors.forename: Maxine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gossell-Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies . Mona Campus. Kingston ( Jamaica ). jannelhall@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Jannel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Clinical Director, University Health Centre, University of the West Indies . Mona Campus, Kingston ( Jamaica ). blossom.anglinbrown@uwimona.edu.jm.
authors.forename: Blossom
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Anglin-Brown
keywords: Drug Interactions; Jamaica; Medication Errors; Patient Safety; Pharmacists