Evaluation of Prescription Interception Rates and Pharmacist Interventions in Nigerian Tertiary Hospitals: A Focus on North Central Zone

Prescription interception by pharmacists involves the identification and correction of prescription errors before they reach the patient, representing a critical safety function of the dispensing pharmacist. Systematic data on prescription interception rates in Nigerian tertiary hospitals are limited. This study evaluated prescription interception rates and the nature of pharmacist interventions at tertiary hospitals in the North Central geopolitical zone, with sites in Kwara, Benue, and Nassarawa States. A prospective observational design was employed over a 12-week data collection period in six hospitals. Pharmacists were trained to document interceptions using a structured interception record form, capturing error type, drug involved, potential severity, and resolution outcome. A total of 12,400 prescriptions were processed, of which pharmacist interceptions occurred in 4.3 percent of cases. The most common error types were incorrect dose in 31 percent, drug-drug interactions in 24 percent, and wrong drug selection in 19 percent. Pharmacists resolved 91 percent of intercepted errors through direct physician communication or prescription modification. High prescription volume and time pressure were associated with lower interception rates. The study provides baseline data for benchmarking pharmacist safety performance in North Central Nigeria and demonstrates the clinical value of pharmacist dispensing review. Formal interception documentation policies and recognition systems for proactive pharmacist error prevention are recommended. Keywords: prescription interception, medication errors, pharmacist intervention, North Central Nigeria, hospital pharmacy