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GLOSSARY


Drug distribution system

A pharmacy-coordinated system that has as its purpose the evaluation, procurement, storage, distribution, and, in health care institutions, administration of all drug products.

Medication administration

The introduction of a drug product into or onto the body of a patient.

Multidose package

A multiple-unit package that contains more than one dose of the same drug product for the same patient.

Patient med pak

A package prepared for a specific patient containing two or more prescribed solid oral dosage forms and labeled to indicate the day and time the medications are to be taken 25

Single-unit package

A package that contains one discrete pharmaceutical dosage form, (i.e., one tablet, one 2 ml volume of liquid). A single-unit package can also be a unit-dose (or single-dose) package if it contains the particular dose of the drug ordered for the patient.26

Unit-dose package

One that contains the particular dose of the drug ordered for the patient.26

Unit-dose drug distribution system

A pharmacy-coordinated method of dispensing and controlling medications in organized health care settings. The following distinctive elements are basic to all unit-dose systems: medications are contained in single-unit packages; medications are dispensed in as ready-to-administer a form as possible; and for most medications, not more than a 24-hour supply of doses is delivered to or available at the patient care area at any time. In long-term care facilities, a larger supply of medications (e.g., 48 or 72 hours) may be acceptable.27



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