Introduction:

Preventable failures in the drug chain are related to Drugs Problems Related Use and are associated with medication errors (prescription, dispensing, administration or use by the patient or caregiver), including failures In the Medication Supply System (availability and quality).

Objective:

Recognize basic information of the Pharmaceutical Establishments (PE), to characterize some processes related to the use of controlled drugs (CD), including compliance with the regulations, and determine the level of risk perception and the continuing education needs of the staff pharmacy.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional, epidemiological study was performed. A questionnaire was used on the processes focused on the use of CD, between May to September of 2016.

Results:

700 PE were visited and an equal number of staff pharmacy were interviewed. Eighty-eight percent (617) of PE are socioeconomic low and medium status, and have an average of 15.3 years of operation (SD 13.6 years). The most favored CD were: mitriptyline 91.4% (640), tramadol 90% (630) and trazodone 60% (419). 76.6% (536) of the respondents considered that the Pharmacy Technician is the most suitable personnel to dispense CD. 25% (177) of the respondents perceived as very poor to regulate the process of information and education that they provide, and 32% (223) with equal perception in the responsibility that they have with the use and results in patients’ health.

Conclusions:

It identifies the general information of PE, as well as of processes related to the use of CD. The perception of respondents about the SP that is suitable for the correct dispensing of CD may be inadequate. A high percentage of the SP perceives educational failures focused on the correct use of CD.