N402 1

 What you are giving…  Why you are giving it…  Desired effect of the drug…  Possible side effects…  Appropriate dose range…  Potential interactions with other medication…  And everything else! 2

 Generic name chosen by The United States Adoptive Name (USAN) Council  Doctors and researchers writing about the medication use the generic name because it doesn't refer to a particular manufacturer  Trade name is assigned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after drug is approved for use  The company marketing the drug creates the trade name  Then, drug can be sold under trade or generic name 3

 Generic and brand-name drugs look different  Trademark laws do not allow generics to look exactly like brand-name drugs  Differences in color, flavor, inactive ingredients may cause slightly different effects  Brand-name drugs may be more easily absorbed  Brand-name drugs may cause fewer or less side effects  Main difference is cost  Generic drugs can cost 30%-80% less than trade name  In 2004 the average price of a generic drug was $28.74 and the cost of the average brand name drug was $

 Brand names for drugs are used by physicians more than the generic names  Brand names are generally easier to remember and pronounce  A physician may only know the name brand drug  He or she may think that the generic version is not as effective 5

 Generally computerized  Initiated electronically  May encounter manual MARs  Your “signature,” if not electronic, is now: (e.g.) “S. Sneed, SN, LAPC” (First initial, last name, SN, LAPC) 6

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 Identify situations of risk  Educate individuals involved  Provide statistical analysis  Identify care format in need of change 15

 Remain calm  Report immediately  React appropriately  Reduce risk for recurrence 16

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