Look-Alike/Sound-Alike and High-Alert Medications: A Critical Review of Medication Safety Risks, Prevention Strategies, And The Role of Pharmacists

• Author Information

  Daljeet Masih, Satya Prakash, Kiranjot Gill, Sheetal Kumar, Poonam

• Daljeet Masih, Satya Prakash, Kiranjot Gill, Sheetal Kumar, Poonam
• Look-Alike/Sound-Alike and High-Alert Medications: A Critical Review of Medication Safety Risks, Prevention Strategies, And The Role of Pharmacists

Abstract

Look-Alike Sound-Alike (LASA) drugs are medications that have similar names, appearances, or pronunciations, which require special caution to prevent medication errors, particularly dispensing errors that may cause patient harm. High-alert (HA) medications are drugs that bear a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error. Emergency drugs are medications used in life-threatening situations where immediate pharmacological intervention is essential to preserve life or prevent permanent organ damage. Because LASA errors can occur at any stage, preventive strategies must address the entire medication-use system. Pharmacists serve as one of the most critical safeguards in the medication-use system, particularly in preventing errors involving Look-Alike Sound-Alike (LASA) medications, emergency drugs, and high-risk (high-alert) medications. Their role extends beyond dispensing to encompass formulary management, risk assessment, policy development, clinical verification, staff training, and patient counseling. Active pharmacist participation produces wide-ranging benefits at the patient, institutional, and public health levels and contributes to overall healthcare quality improvement.