Role of Clinical Pharmacists in Reducing Prescription Errors in Hospitals

Abstract Prescription errors within hospital settings are a significant cause of preventable patient harm, contributing to adverse drug events, increased healthcare costs, and prolonged hospital stays. Clinical pharmacists, as integral members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, have been proposed as a key intervention for reducing prescription errors through direct involvement in medication review, reconciliation, and prescriber consultation. This study assesses the impact of clinical pharmacists’ interventions on the frequency and severity of prescription errors in a tertiary care hospital over a six-month period. A quantitative retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,200 prescriptions, comparing error rates before and after clinical pharmacist involvement. Error types were categorized into dosing, drug interactions, incorrect dosage form, and illegible orders. Results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in overall prescription errors following pharmacist review, with a 42% decrease in dosing errors and a 37% reduction in potential drug–drug interactions. The study further explored prescriber perceptions and pharmacist interventions, revealing enhanced interprofessional communication and improved medication safety culture. Results indicate that pharmacist participation at key points—especially during prescription review and ward rounds—can lead to measurable improvements in prescribing practices. The findings support expanding clinical pharmacy services as a strategic initiative to improve patient safety outcomes. Future research should explore long-term cost-benefit analyses and extend this model to different clinical settings.