Who should standardize TML?
USP has been studying TML since 2004. Since it sets the standards for drugs in the United States, it seems the most logical organization to develop standards for how look-alike drug name pairs should be labeled. This effort, of course, should be accomplished in collaboration with the FDA, NABP, ISMP, practitioner professional organizations, and the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCCMERP). It is important to recognize the USP sets standards for the drug monographs (generic names) and could serve in an advisory role when proprietary (brand) names are involved. The FDA currently does not have regulatory authority over proprietary names for non-prescription products.Summary Look-alike drug name errors continue with limited abatement. Therefore, it can be concluded that: 1) current strategies to avoid these errors should be more fully implemented, and 2), there continues to be a need for new “out of the box” strategies. Although ePrescribing and
