Unsafe medication practices, such as incorrect dosages, unclear instructions, and illegible prescriptions, pose a significant threat to patient safety globally. These errors contribute to avoidable harm in healthcare, with an estimated annual cost of US$ 42 billion, excluding other economic impacts like lost wages and productivity. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), poor-quality care results in staggering productivity losses, amounting to US$ 1.4-1.6 trillion annually. Evidence suggests that direct costs of harm in primary and ambulatory care constitute around 2.5% of total health expenditure, with hospitalizations often necessitated by such errors. Across OECD member countries, harm in primary care leads to over 7 million admissions annually, in addition to substantial hospital bed occupancy. Recent assessments value the social cost of patient harm at US$ 1-2 trillion per year, indicating a significant economic toll. Eliminating harm could potentially boost global economic growth by more than 0.7% annually, underscoring the imperative for comprehensive strategies to address medication errors and enhance patient safety.
