Editorial

Is This Medicine REALLY Involved in a Drug Interaction?

Authors: Steven Joseph Haas, B Pharm, B Pharm Sci (Hons), MSHPA, MAEA

Abstract

In today’s advanced medical profession, there is an ever increasing amount of evidence developing in relation to a myriad of drug-drug interactions,1,2 a trend which is set to continue with an aging population and further development of pharmaceutical technologies in the future. This begs to question as to whether it is safe to presume that a specific drug-drug interaction does not exist if it has not been identified and published. With an exponentially expanding number of drug combinations at our disposal for the treatment of various conditions upsetting our patients, all clinicians must remain vigilant to the possibility of an unknown situation affecting the patient under their care, in the interests of the patient’s safety and well being. Our aim must always remain to provide the correct drug, at the correct dose, at the correct time, to the correct patient (and hopefully the correct number of medications to ensure compliance and avoid confusion by patients and clinicians alike!). Obviously, this is not always an easy task to accomplish considering the demands of the health profession and the continual need to remain informed and updated.

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