MedError

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MedError

Report a Medication Incident:
www.mederror.ca

Taking or receiving a wrong medicine, or the wrong dose of a medicine, could harm your health.

MedError.ca, is part of the Canadian Medication Incident Reporting and Prevention System (CMIRPS), a Canadian initiative to prevent harmful medication incidents. The fact is, mistakes with medicines happen, but they are preventable. Mistakes with medicine are called medication incidents. We believe that consumers and health professionals can play active roles in preventing mistakes in health care.

When incidents are reported and reviewed, problems that could increase the chance of an error happening can often be found and corrected. The MedError.ca site provides a convenient way for consumers to report medication incidents and to get information about using medicines safely. At the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada, our job is to study the incidents reported by you and recommend ways to prevent them. The more incident reports we receive, the better we can work together to prevent harmful medication errors from happening in the future. MedError.ca is funded by Health Canada and is part of a Canadian initiative to prevent harmful medication incidents, the Canadian Medication Incident Reporting and Prevention System (CMIRPS). MedError.ca provides a better way for consumers to report medication incidents and to get information about using medication safely.

06/23/2026

📦 Quick check before you leave the pharmacy…

❓ some prescriptions are only labelled on the outer box? If the box is thrown out, important details, like the patient's name, and how to use the medication, can be lost.

This is common with items like eye drops, creams, liquids, and inhalers.

✅ What you can do:
Before you leave the pharmacy, ask your pharmacist to put the label directly on the medication container and not just the box.

It’s a small step but an important layer of safety.

📖 Learn more about safe medication labelling in this newsletter: https://mederror.ca/newsletters/who-keeps-the-box-are-your-prescriptions-properly-labelled/

06/18/2026

💊 Are you allergic to a medication?

Keep yourself safe by carrying a list with you at all times.

Your list should include:
✔️ The name of the medication
✔️ What kind of reaction you had

ISMP Canada received a report where a patient was given a medication they were allergic to, even though their allergy information was already in their hospital record.

🛑 It is important to speak up and share your allergy list every time you get care.

📖 Read more about medication allergies and how to stay safe in this newsletter: https://safemedicationuse.ca/newsletter/medication-allergies.html

06/09/2026

✅ Know your child’s weight in kilograms and make sure to tell your health care provider and pharmacist.

⚠️ We received a report where a child’s weight was written as kilograms on the prescription, but it was actually the child’s weight in pounds. This resulted in the medication being prescribed at too high of a dose.

🔎 Read more about weight-based dosing in this newsletter ➡ https://bit.ly/4adF16L

06/04/2026

❓ not all medications can be split, crushed, or chewed?

received a report from a patient who was given instructions to split a pill in half, even though that type of pill should not be split. 💊

🔎 Read more about medications that should not be split, crushed or chewed:https://www.safemedicationuse.ca/newsletter/downloads/201307NewsletterV4N4NotBeCrushedSplitChewed.pdf

06/02/2026

🛫 Preparing for a trip? Don’t forget your medications! 💊

We received a report where a patient discovered a while they were out of the country.

✅ Check your prescriptions before leaving to make sure everything is right!

Read these travel tips.

➡https://safemedicationuse.ca/newsletter/downloads/201706NewsletterV8N5-LosingMeds.pdf

05/28/2026

ISMP Canada has been working with homes in Ontario for several years in an initiative called Strengthening Medication Safety in Long-Term Care.

The most recent phase of the program has been to support homes as they work on a resident-centred approach to strengthen medication safety, specifically with the appropriate use of antipsychotic medications. 💊

This video highlights the incredible work that is happening in LTC. 👏 Kudos to for supporting the development of this video.

Grab your tea ☕ and have a tissue handy. 🥹
📺 Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jVmhZeen8Q&t=1s
🔎Learn more about the Strengthening Medication Safety in LTC initiative: https://ismpcanada.ca/resource/ltc/

05/26/2026

that some medication names can look alike or sound alike?

ISMP Canada received a report about a mix up involving hydralazine and hydroxyzine. Check your prescription before leaving the pharmacy to ensure you have your expected medication.

Read more about look alike, sound alike medications: https://mederror.ca/newsletters/look-alike-sound-alike-medications/

05/21/2026

It is . Medications may be needed to treat mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

ISMP Canada receives reports related tothese medications and we have previously published information about starting and stopping antidepressants safely.

Read these newsletters to help you stay safe with these medications.

Tips for Starting Antidepressants Safely: https://mederror.ca/newsletters/tips-for-starting-antidepressants-safely/
Tips for Stopping Antidepressants Safely: https://mederror.ca/newsletters/tips-for-stopping-antidepressants-safely/

05/20/2026

💊 Picking up a prescription for you or someone else?

Take a minute for medication counselling—it could prevent an error.
A quick conversation with the pharmacist helps you understand how to take medication safely and catch mistakes before they happen.

✅ Check the medication
✅ Ask questions
✅ If something seems different, speak up

Read this newsletter about a good catch during medication counselling: https://bit.ly/43m9vj4

05/19/2026

Do you take levothyroxine (e.g., Synthroid) for a thyroid condition?
ISMP Canada continues to receive reports related to the incorrect dose of levothyroxine.

A recent report shared that the doctor had explained what colour and shape to expect the tablets to be. When the patient picked up the medication, it was not the colour or shape they were expecting. The error was caught and harm was prevented.

Read this newsletter to learn more about taking levothyroxine safely: https://mederror.ca/newsletters/medication-routines-keeping-them-simple/

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4711 Yonge Street, Suite 706
Toronto, ON
M2N6K8

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http://www.mederror.ca/

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