Role of the hospital pharmacist in preventing drug interactions in clinical practice

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) represent a serious problem for current pharmacotherapy worldwide, as they may influence drug safety and/or therapeutic effect. In addition, they are often observed in hospitalized patients, who usually have to take several drugs simultaneously. Therefore, different strategies have been sought to detect and prevent dangerous interactions. The aim of the present work is to summarize the main mechanisms of DDIs and evaluate the role of hospital pharmacists in identifying and preventing potentially dangerous DDIs. According to the literature review, the most frequently reported clinically significant interactions are due to modulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes or transmembrane transporter activity. A deep understanding of drug pharmacology and toxicity is necessary to identify and prevent certain potential interactions. Hospital pharmacists can enhance patient safety through interventions such as medication reconciliation and patient education at discharge, reducing hospital readmissions and the risk of drug-related problems.