Assessment of Medication Errors and Drug-Drug Interactions among Cardiovascular Disease Patients: A Clinical Pharmacist Perspective.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of global mortality, with India reporting higher CVD-related death rates than the global average. The management of CVD often involves multiple medications, increasing the risk of medication errors (MEs) and drug-drug interactions (DDIs), which may lead to adverse drug reactions (ADRs), prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. This prospective observational study aims to assess the incidence, types, and causes of medication errors and clinically significant DDIs among cardiovascular patients. It also seeks to evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacist interventions in identifying, preventing, and minimizing such medication-related problems. The study will be conducted in the Departments of Cardiology and General Medicine at KLE’s Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belagavi, involving 160 patients. Data will be collected using validated tools such as the ASHP scale for medication errors, Micromedex for DDIs, and WHO-UMC and Hartwig & Siegel scales for ADR assessment. Statistical analysis will determine the effectiveness of pharmacist interventions in improving medication safety and patient outcomes. The findings are expected to highlight the crucial role of clinical pharmacists in ensuring safer pharmacotherapy for cardiovascular patients.