BD study highlights risks of injectable medication errors

BD has published data from a new study that underlines the need for safer drug delivery practices in healthcare systems.

The company commissioned a US-based survey showing that preventable adverse drug events associated with injectable medications negatively impact more than one million inpatients each year.

This results in costs of $2.7 to $5.1 billion (1.68 to 3.17 billion pounds) in annual costs to US healthcare payers each year, or an average of $600,000 for every hospital.

According to the report, the types of medications and illnesses most associated with these harmful errors are already known, meaning measures can be taken to combat this trend.

Betsy Lahue, vice-president for health economics and outcomes research at BD, said: "New solutions to improve injectable medication processes are needed to minimise the burden on payers and reduce the risk for both the patient and the healthcare setting."

Last month, the company announced a dividend payment of 49.5 cents for the latest financial quarter, thus demonstrating its ongoing confidence in its business prospects.