How often should a pharmacist conduct a prospective drug review according to best practices?

The requirement for a pharmacist to conduct a prospective drug review before each prescription is dispensed or delivered is rooted in best practices for patient safety and medication management. This review is a critical part of the pharmacist's responsibilities, ensuring that any potential drug interactions, contraindications, correct dosages, and patient-specific factors are considered prior to dispensing medication.

By performing this review prior to each act of dispensing, pharmacists safeguard against potential medication errors and adverse effects, which can arise from factors such as new medications being started, changes in patient health status, or prior prescriptions. The continuous monitoring allows pharmacists to be proactive rather than reactive, ultimately supporting better patient outcomes.

In contrast, conducting these reviews only for new patients could risk overlooking issues with long-term patients who may still experience interaction problems. Similarly, waiting for a request from a physician is inadequate, as the responsibility lies with the pharmacist to ensure they are aware of all aspects of a patient's medication regimen. Conducting such reviews only once a year does not align with the dynamic nature of patient care and medication therapy, where conditions and medications can change frequently. Thus, performing a prospective drug review before each prescription is the best practice to ensure comprehensive patient care.