The study revealed two distinct types of drug similarity, based on the source of confusion. Similar spelling or pronunciation (LASA) caused visual and auditory confusion, while similar packaging/labeling (LA1) or similar tablets/capsules (LA2) caused visual-only confusion.
The most frequently occurring similarity was LASA stemming from similar spelling or pronunciation, as shown in Table 2. From the surveyed medication error categories, category B error occurred but did not reach the patient and was most prevalently reported (Table 3). No category I (fatal) errors were reported. Harmful medication errors (category F, G) are shown in Table 4. From all the reported drugs, 3,695 pairs were tablets/