From Prescription to Administration: A Comprehensive Review of the Pharmacist’s Role in Preventing Medication Errors

Background: Medication errors constitute a significant global public health issue, leading to preventable morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare expenditures. In India, the risks are heightened by disjointed prescribing practices, polypharmacy, and insufficient staffing within healthcare systems. Pharmacists are increasingly acknowledged as vital contributors to the prevention of medication errors throughout the entire medication-use continuum. Objective: This comprehensive review seeks to consolidate existing evidence regarding the diverse roles and interventions of pharmacists in mitigating medication errors from the point of prescription to administration, and to pinpoint challenges and prospective avenues for future research. Methods: A systematic search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL for studies published between January 2010 and May 2025. The search terms encompassed “pharmacist,” “medication errors,” “medication safety,” and related terminology. Studies eligible for inclusion comprised observational studies, clinical trials, and systematic reviews that involved human participants and pharmacist-led interventions. The data were thematically analysed through narrative synthesis. Results: Pharmacists effectively engage at every stage: reviewing prescriptions, reconciling medications, verifying dispensing accuracy, educating patients, and monitoring adverse events. Evidence underscores their effectiveness in decreasing error rates, enhancing patient outcomes, and improving system safety. Significant barriers include inadequate staffing, communication deficiencies, and underutilization in the Indian context. Conclusion: Pharmacists are crucial to ensuring medication safety. The integration of their roles within healthcare systems, along with supportive policies and targeted research, is vital to maximising their contributions.