Dispensing Errors in Community Pharmacies: A Study of Frequency and Contributing Factors in Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria

Dispensing errors represent a preventable cause of patient harm in outpatient pharmacy settings and have been associated with serious morbidity in vulnerable populations. This study investigated the frequency, types, and contributing factors of dispensing errors in community pharmacies in Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. An observational study design was used, with trained research assistants conducting covert observation of dispensing activities in 20 randomly selected community pharmacies over four weeks. A total of 1,200 dispensing encounters were observed and assessed against original prescriptions. Additionally, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians were surveyed regarding workload, training, and environmental conditions. A dispensing error rate of 8.4 percent was identified, with wrong dose, wrong drug, and incomplete labeling being the most frequent types. High prescription volume, understaffing, poor lighting, and interruptions during dispensing were significantly associated with error occurrence. Pharmacies with functioning double-check protocols showed significantly lower error rates. Only 12 percent of pharmacies had documented standard operating procedures for error reporting. The study recommends mandatory implementation of prescription verification systems, double-check protocols, and adequate staffing ratios in community pharmacies. Continuing professional education on medication safety and a culture of error reporting should be promoted among pharmacy practitioners across Oyo State. Keywords: dispensing errors, community pharmacy, Ibadan, medication safety, pharmacy practice