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Abstract: Purpose: In France, the analysis of the prescriptions by a pharmacist in hospital is mandatory since 1991. However, for various reasons, this activity remained poorly developed and little research has been performed. Consequently, this activity suffers of a lack of visibility to hospital decision-makers and others health care professionals. The aim of this paper is to describe drugs related problems identified by pharmacist prescriptions analysis on a large number of orders in a large teaching hospital. This was done in order to highlight recurrent and preventable problems. Methods: During 1 year period, drug related problems detected by pharmacists when performing prescription analysis were registered prospectively. Results: Among 70,849 orders, 7073 drug related problems were registered. Most frequently detected drug related problems were: over dosages, especially with three drugs (zopiclone, zolpidem and acetaminophen) representing more than 10% of the pharmacist''s interventions; optimization of drug administration especially with tablets that should not be crushed and intravenous to oral step-down therapy (7.5%); lack of conformity with consensus recommendations and contra-indications (12.8%); drug–drug interactions (11.6%) with a high proportion of absorption inhibition of one drug by another along the digestive tract; problems related to computerized physicians order entry (5.1%) appeared as an emerging phenomenon. Conclusion: These results should be used to reexamine hospital drug prescription policy. They prompt health care professionals to be aware about new medications errors potentially related to computerized prescription order entry. Finally, they invite to modify initial and continuous education programs of health care professionals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Non valvular atrial fibrillation is a public health concern because of the frequency and the severity of its embolic complications, particularly strokes. The aim of this paper is to analyze the recent recommendations for the prevention of embolic events and their application in the elderly. The recommendations for the prevention of stroke, published in 2001 on the basis of the results of randomized studies comparing vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and aspirin versus placebo, have been modified in August 2006. VKA are recommended in patients at high risk of stroke. In patients considered at moderate risk, the choice is now possible between VKA and aspirin, with a reduced dosage of aspirin (75 to 325mg). The absolute risk of stroke related to age, hypertension, heart failure or diabetes is not yet evaluated. Further studies would be necessary in order to precise the recommendations for patients with only one of these risk factors: aspirin or VKA? In geriatric patients with several risk factors, VKA are under prescribed. A better knowledge of the embolic risk of atrial fibrillation, of the often overestimated hemorrhagic risk of VKA, of the quite underestimated hemorrhagic risk of aspirin and of the recommendations for prevention would be necessary. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]