Dublin: New data from the Health Service Executive reveals that 738 patients were harmed in medication-related incidents last year, with the majority classified as minor or moderate and six cases deemed extreme.
A total of 10,400 medication-related incidents and near misses were recorded, including over 7,150 cases that reached patients without causing harm and more than 2,540 near misses that were intercepted before reaching patients.
According to the State Claims Agency, the most common issue involved omitted or delayed medication doses.
The figures were released in response to a parliamentary query from Peadar Tóibín. The HSE stated that reducing medication-related harm remains a key priority under its patient safety strategy, with measures such as a new polypharmacy indicator to monitor risks among older patients.
Oversight of medication safety in hospitals is also supported by inspections from the Health Information and Quality Authority.
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