Insist that labels line up with the same name on the packet. This means you don't have to turn the packet round or over, regardless of what the label covers, or if it goes around corners, etc. Using this technique dispensing staff tend to spot their own errors more often and when they double-check the pharmacist's labels.
"read the script out loud", especially when dispensing and checking on your own (saturdays etc...): apparently, it's a different part of your brain that processes the information from your eyes, and that from speech & hearing; so, even if your eyes have convinced you that the box of amlodipine 5mg you've picked off the shelf is right for your script when you hear yourself say "amiloride 5mg", you'll realise your mistake... As they say in a certain supermarket: "Every little helps!
Put the dispensed medicines in the bag with their names facing upwards so that the patient can check discreetly while in the pharmacy that what has been dispensed is what they are expecting.
Always pack your own bags--don't check then leave for dispensing staff to cross-pack. Then re-check packet-ends once in the bag.
Get into the habit of marking the original pack next to the drug name and the strength. The physical act of making a mark helps in checking strength and drug and it helps to avoid many a mistake reaching patient.
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