Abstract

Ensuring Global Patient Safety by Minimizing Medication-Related Errors: World Health Organization

Saurabh Ram Bihari Lal Shrivastava, Prateek Saurabh Shrivastava and Jegadeesh Ramasamy

Globally, the issue of ensuring patient safety while utilizing health care has been recognized as a key public health priority. Moreover, the World Health Organization has launched an international initiative with an aim to minimize severe and preventable medication-associated harms in all nations by 50% in the next 5 years. The target is to improve the ways in which medicines are prescribed, distributed or consumed, and augment the level of awareness among patients regarding the risks related to the irrational use of medications like emergence of antimicrobial resistance. To conclude, whenever we take any medication, it is with an intention to be benefitted and not harmed. As medication-induced injuries play an immense burden on the health system, accounts for financial loss, and even deaths, prevention of the same can save both money and human lives.