Medication safety

Introduction

This topic will cover the medication safety of different drug classes used in breast cancer treatment. The learner will gain knowledge of general medication use process, common medication errors and options to prevent them as well as drug classes used to treat breast cancer their interactions and pharmacology.

Learning outcome: After completing the topic, the learner demonstrates knowledge of different drug classes in breast cancer treatment and toxic effects  of medicines used as well as handling, disposal and storage of cytotoxic drugs.  Also, the learner is able to demonstrate knowledge of drug interactions, including alternative medicine, general medication use process and side effects of common medications used and their management.

Learning material: Medication use process, drug interactions and medication safety at home

This 15:00 min presentation of Medication use process introduces the general principles of the topic, including the common medication errors and means to prevent them. The knowledge also applies to the drugs used in breast cancer systemic treatment.

To learn about drug interactions in breast cancer treatment, which is an important part of medication safety, this link will direct you to the Module 2, Systemic anticancer therapies topic where you can find the particular lecture.

The following Prezi presentation (audio included) introduces the learner to safety aspects combining alternative and complementary medicine with standard treatment of breast cancer: Safety aspects of combining alternative and complementary medicine with standard treatment of breast cancer.

The following podcast introduces the learner to medication safety at home.

Learning material: Handling, disposal and storage of cytotoxic drugs

This prezi presentation introduces the learner tohandling, disposal and storage of cytotoxic drugs: Handling, disposal and storage of cytotoxic drugs Please click on the link and navigate inside Prezi presentation by using arrows below the presentation to proceed logically.

Mandatory reading

The exam also includes questions from these materials. Please read the following written materials, which should take about 1-1,5 hours to go through.

1. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Working to reduce medication errors. 2019.
2. World Health Organization (WHO). Technical Series on Safer Primary Care: Medication errors. 2016.

While reading the materials, try to answer the questions:

• After FDA has received a new drug for marketing, which aspects are reviewed in order to reduce medication errors?
• What does FDA monitor after the drug is marketed?
• Which are the key issues and potential solutions in medication errors by WHO?

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