Inquiries on Suspected Contents of Prescriptions at Four University Hospital Pharmacies

Abstract

Details of inquiries on the suspected contents of the prescriptions were studied from February to April 1980 and from July to September 1981 at 4 university hospital pharmacies. By plotting a x-R control chart of the number of inquiries in each pharmacy, the changes of mean value and variance of the number could be checked quickly. This made possible to take a suitable and immediate action to these changes. Classified by department of consultation, the inquiries received at the internal department gave 40 to 50% of the total inquiries. Furthermore, the inquiries of drugs were about 60% in one pharmacy while the inquiries on amounts of drugs were about 50% in the other pharmacies. This implies that pertinent drug information on the inquiries in each pharmacy should be provided to physicians, primarily to internists.