The unit dose drug distribution is a pharmacy coordinated system of dispensing and controlling medications in health care institutions MEDICATIONS ARE CONTAINED IN SINGLE-UNIT PACKAGES and are dispensed in ready-to-administer form as possible For most medications, NOT MORE THAN A 24-HOUR SUPPLY OF DOSES IS DELIVERED or available at the patient care area at any time A MEDICATION PROFILE IS MAINTAINED for EACH PATIENT (give also the advantage of this)

UNIT-DOSE DISPENSING SYSTEM ADVANTAGES: 1 Patients receive improved pharmaceutical service 24 hours a day 2 All doses of medications required a the nursing station are prepared by the pharmacy thus allowing the nurse more time for direct patient care. 3 Allows the pharmacist to interpret physician’s original order (less medication errors) 4 Eliminates excessive duplication of orders 5 Eliminates credit 6 Transfers IV preparation and dry reconstitution procedures to the pharmacy 7 Promotes more efficient utilization of professional and non-professional personnel 8 Reduces revenue losses 9 Conserves space in nursing units 10 Eliminates pilferage 11 Extends pharmacy coverage and control 12 Pharmacist can get out of wards (consultants)