U.S. Pharmacopeia Experts on Standards-Setting and Safe Medication Use Available to Comment and Provide Additional Background on Institute of Medicine Report ''Preventing Medication Errors''.

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) commends the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies for addressing critical patient safety issues in its latest national report "Preventing Medication Errors," released today.

"Identifying and preventing medication errors is an essential part of quality health care. In recent years, a number of organizations have established valuable groundwork in this area. This report, with the prestigious imprint of the IOM, serves as a nationwide call to action on this important topic," said Diane Cousins, R.Ph., vice president of the department of patient safety, standards division for USP and a recognized expert in the field of safe medication use.

USP, a private, non-profit, standards-setting organization, contributed information and insight for the IOM committee. Cousins leads USP's Center for the Advancement of Patient Safety, has studied medication errors for nearly 25 years and frequently serves as an expert source for the trade and consumer media. She is available to provide additional information and insight into numerous USP activities on medication safety topics addressed in the IOM report, including:

--Consumer tips for keeping track of medications

--Resources for consumer-oriented drug information

--Medication error monitoring (i.e., reporting systems that track and trend errors)

--Dissemination of medication safety information to health care professionals

--Medication technology (i.e., e-prescriptions, computerized prescriber order entry)

--Product naming, packaging and labeling (i.e., sound-alike and look-alike drugs, mixed case labeling, drug-related abbreviations)

--Education on safe medication use for health care professionals

--National taxonomy to coordinate reporting to multiple programs

USP is guided strategically by resolutions, which are adopted by its membership. Currently, four of the resolutions relate directly to the recommendations contained in the IOM Report. They are:

--Standards for Nomenclature and Labeling supports standards that address recurring medication errors that result from look-alike/sound-alike names, labeling and packaging.

--Drug Information Programs acknowledges USP's responsibility under the Medicare Modernization Act to develop and revise the Model Guidelines used to assess Part D plan formularies. The resolution promotes development of information for Medicare beneficiaries as well as other special patient populations.

--Promoting Safe Medication Use and Disposal supports using USP's two reporting programs (noted in the IOM report) to develop additional educational products and programs to convey best practices in medication safety to healthcare practitioners, students, consumers, and others interested in advancing patient safety. A core curriculum of safe medication management and development of a compendium of safe medication use standards are in the planning stages.

--Evidence-based Methodologies and Algorithms for Decision Support Used in E-Prescribing and Pharmacy Computer Systems acknowledges USP's 5-year collaborative initiative with the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy to improve online drug utilization review systems as well as USP's work to outline the essential and minimum safety features needed for e-prescribing software, Computerized Prescriber Order Entry, computerized pharmacy systems, and other technologies.

USP is, at its core, a standards setting organization with almost 200 years experience. USP is recognized in federal and state laws -- as it is throughout the world -- for its practice standards, standards of quality, purity, packaging, and labeling, and authoritative information. USP is eager to advance the recommendations of the IOM Report as they align well with USP's purpose and direction.

To talk with Ms. Cousins, please contact Karrie Hawbaker at 202-296-2002 ext. 113 or [e-mail].

USP--Advancing Public Health Since 1820

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a private, non-profit, standards-setting organization that advances public health by ensuring the quality and consistency of medicines, promoting the safe and proper use of medications, and verifying ingredients in dietary supplements. These standards, which are recognized worldwide, are developed by a unique process of public involvement through the contributions of volunteers representing pharmacy, medicine, and other health care professions, as well as science, academia, government, the pharmaceutical industry, and consumer organizations. For more information about USP and its four public health programs, visit www.usp.org/newscenter.