The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7245 p548
19 April 2003

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  New Charter
  Community pharmacy
  Pharmacist prescribing
  Qualified persons
  Drug misuse services
  Homoeopathy
  Dispensary design
  NPSA project
  Tuberculosis
  The Society
  CPD
  Titles

Letters to the Editor

NPSA project

Reducing risks with oral methotrexate

From Ms C. E. Dewsbury, MRPharmS, and Ms W. E. Harris, MRPharmS

All pharmacists will be aware of risks associated with medicines. In autumn 2002 the Royal Pharmaceutical Society was asked to participate in the National Patient Safety Agency's project "Preventing errors with oral methotrexate". The aim of this work was to examine problems, and possible solutions to problems, with the use of oral methotrexate.

In an attempt to get beyond the published literature, Catherine Dewsbury e-mailed a number of pharmacists asking for information about errors with oral methotrexate and asked them to pass on this request to others. It was agreed that all information would be treated in the strictest confidence and that only information relating to the problems or possible solutions would be shared with Wendy Harris.

Many pharmacists telephoned or e-mailed to share policies on preventing incidents and their practical experiences of incidents with oral methotrexate. We received information that we could have not have accessed by other routes. The NPSA work on methotrexate continues. We hope that patient safety solutions will be published later this year.

We write to thank all those pharmacists who provided information. They know who they are and we are grateful for the help they provided.

Catherine Dewsbury
Clinical Governance Pharmacist
Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Wendy Harris
Senior Pharmacist
— Safe Medication Practices National Patient Safety Agency

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