Objectives: To reach consensus on a definition of prescribing errors and different scenarios
representing prescribing error situations in general practice by a Pakistani panel of expert judges.
Later this definition and scenarios will be used for evaluating prescribing practices in hospitals.
Study Design: The study was designed to be conducted in a Two-Round Delphi Technique though a
questionnaire to be delivered hand-by-hand to each member of the panel.
Place and Duration of study: This was a prospective at various of judges hospitals study conducted
in Lahore and Bahawalpur from May 2006 to July 2006.
Material and Methods: A questionnaire in a two-round Delphi technique was followed to gauge
consensus on a definition and 46 scenarios proposed to be representing prescribing error
situations.
Results: Consensus was reached to agree upon a definition of prescribing errors, 33 (71.7%)
scenarios were considered prescribing errors, 8 (17.4%) scenarios were excluded and 5 (10.9%)
were partially agreed upon to be considered depending on the individual situation.
Conclusion: The Pakistani panel of expert judges agreed upon the definition and scenarios to be
considered prescribing errors. The definition and scenarios can also be used for future research
on prescribing errors in Pakistani hospitals.

Conference Title

1st National Pharmacy Conference

Conference Country

Pakistan

Conference Date

March 2, 2007 - March 4, 2007

Conference Sponsor

The Islamia University of Bahawalpur