LONDON, September 10 /PRNewswire/ --

Patients are being put at risk because some hospital doctors are not
always following warning procedures over known drug allergies, new research
launched at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester shows.

A study by the University of Sunderland at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital,
Gateshead, found that less than half of patients with a known drug allergy
were issued with red wrist bands which warn hospital staff of patients'
allergies.

The study looked at the standard of drug allergy recording and red alert
wristband usage among in-patient wards at the hospital, and the results were
compared to the hospital's Trust Drug Policy standards.(a)

The results further showed that in three quarters of cases, patients'
drug allergy status details were not recorded in their clinical notes or on
their drug charts.

Drug allergies are a significant cause of avoidable adverse drug
reactions among hospital in-patients each year. Pharmacist Andrew Husband,
who led the research, said: "The solution is to increase awareness among
hospital staff of the importance of this issue. Every member of a hospital
multi-professional team is responsible for ensuring that drug allergy status
procedures are followed."

"Pharmacists are experts in medicines and they have a significant role to
play in supporting other health professionals to achieve the best possible
healthcare outcomes for all patients, and avoid adverse drug reactions,"
Andrew said.

A separate study, also carried out by University of Sunderland at City
Hospitals Sunderland, showed that the recording of allergy status was
incomplete or sometimes overlooked or omitted. In nearly 40% of patients with
a known drug allergy the allergic reaction was not recorded. In almost 80% of
cases where appropriate details were recorded, the entries were made by
pharmacists, rather than doctors.

Dr Rachel Etherington, who led the research said: "These results
demonstrate the crucial role of pharmacists within a multi-disciplinary team:
pharmacists are uniquely placed to raise awareness of the importance of drug
allergy recording. Details of drug allergies are recognised as key components
of patients' records and pharmacists could potentially play a significant
proactive role in achieving higher standards of allergy status recording."

"Allergic reactions to drugs can have life-threatening consequences and
are estimated to prolong the hospital stay for 15% of patients(1)."

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LONDON, September 10 /PRNewswire/ --

Notes to Editors

(a) It is the responsibility of medical staff to record drug allergy 
status on the electronic prescribing system.

The British Pharmaceutical Conference - entitled "The medicines maze:
balancing risks and benefits" - takes place from 10th to 12th September,
2007, at Manchester Central (formerly Manchester International Convention
Centre). The theme of BPC 2007 is reflected throughout the programme, with
keynote speeches and workshops addressing crucial technical and professional
issues that are facing pharmacy today. The conference will showcase the
latest developments in pharmaceutical science and practice research and
include discussion and debate led by expert speakers.

References

(1). Allergy - the unmet need: a blueprint for better patient care. 
Reports from the Royal College of Physicians. 2003.