Medication Errors Cause Over 3m Deaths Annually – WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that medication errors contribute to over three million deaths globally every year.

WHO regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, who disclosed this in a statement to mark the 2022 World Patient Safety Day, themed: “Medication Safety: Medication Without Harm”, said the situation has been exacerbated by overwhelmed health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said “Medication errors occur most commonly due to weaknesses in medication systems, and are aggravated by shortages of well-trained health staff, and poor working and environmental conditions for delivery of quality health care.

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“Consequently, patients’ rights to medication without prejudice can be compromised through inappropriate prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administration and monitoring practices.”

Moeti said about one in every four cases of preventable medication harm is clinically severe, or life-threatening.

“Administration of surplus medication at home, the purchase of medication from pharmacies on the advice of friends and relatives rather than trained professionals, and the use of old prescriptions to buy medication to treat a current ailment, are all common practices that should be avoided,” she cautioned.

She further stated that based on current estimates, US$ 42 billion of total health expenditure worldwide could be averted if medication errors are addressed.

“Medication Without Harm aims to reduce severe avoidable medication-related harm by 50 per cent globally in the next five years, through focused activities and interventions targeting three areas: patients and the public; health care professionals; and medicines, systems and medication practices,” said Moeti.

She, however, said that WHO was working with Member States to implement the WHO Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030, adding that a regional patient safety strategy and road map are currently being developed to guide its implementation.