Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs among Healthcare Professionals in Eastern India

Abstract Background: Look-alike and sound-alike (LASA) drugs pose a significant risk to patient safety, contributing to medication errors during prescribing, dispensing, and administration. These errors are preventable but persist globally, particularly in resource-limited healthcare systems. Understanding healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding LASA drugs is essential for developing targeted interventions to enhance medication safety. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted among 230 HCPs (physicians, nurses, and pharmacists) in eastern India. A structured, validated questionnaire assessed KAP regarding LASA drugs. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics and KAP scores. Associations between KAP scores and demographic variables were analyzed using chi-square tests. Results: Most participants (84.8%) were aware of LASA drugs, with pharmacists demonstrating higher knowledge scores compared to physicians and nurses ( P < 0.01). While 93.9% acknowledged the need for additional training, only 28.7% had received formal LASA-specific training. Preventive strategies such as Tall Man lettering and barcode scanning were frequently cited, yet their application in daily practice was inconsistent. Approximately 22% reported involvement in LASA-related incidents, with gaps noted in incident reporting and resolution. Conclusion: The study highlights substantial knowledge gaps, mixed attitudes, and inconsistent practices regarding LASA drugs among HCPs. Targeted training, robust reporting mechanisms, and adherence to safety protocols are recommended to mitigate LASA-related errors and enhance patient safety.