Topic Editors

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
Dirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Mexico City 10200, Mexico

Drug Use and Patient Safety in Primary and Secondary Care Settings

Abstract submission deadline
31 August 2026
Manuscript submission deadline
31 October 2026
Viewed by
730

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The intricate relationship between drug use and patient safety in primary and secondary care settings is a critical area of healthcare that demands thorough investigation and continuous improvement. This Topic aims to explore the multifaceted aspects of medication management, including prescribing practices, administration, monitoring, and patient education, within diverse healthcare environments. With the rising complexity of pharmacotherapy and the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, ensuring safe and effective medication use across care settings is paramount.

In primary care, the focus is often on initiating therapy, managing chronic diseases, and preventing adverse drug events through vigilant monitoring and patient engagement. Meanwhile, secondary care settings, which typically involve more specialized and acute interventions, present unique challenges related to the transition of care, medication reconciliation, and managing complex therapeutic regimens.

The objective of this Topic is to consolidate contemporary research and clinical insights to enhance patient safety related to drug use in primary and secondary care settings. By highlighting best practices, innovative strategies, and the latest advancements in medication safety, we aim to provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to reduce medication errors, prevent adverse drug reactions, and improve overall patient outcomes. We welcome contributions that address these critical issues through empirical research, reviews, case studies, and policy analyses.

Dr. Kingston Rajiah
Dr. Ashuin Kammar-García
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • medication safety
  • drug utilization
  • primary care
  • secondary care
  • adverse drug events
  • pharmacy education
  • health services research
  • patient care
  • community pharmacy
  • social and administrative pharmacy
  • critical care
  • pre-hospital care

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Healthcare
healthcare
2.7 4.7 2013 21.5 Days CHF 2700 Submit
Hospitals
hospitals
- - 2024 15.0 days * CHF 1000 Submit
Journal of Clinical Medicine
jcm
2.9 5.2 2012 17.7 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Safety
safety
1.7 3.7 2015 37.2 Days CHF 1800 Submit
Medicina
medicina
2.4 4.1 1920 17.5 Days CHF 2200 Submit
Medicines
medicines
- - 2014 45 Days CHF 1400 Submit

* Median value for all MDPI journals in the first half of 2025.


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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Article
Association Between Different Patterns of Opioid and Benzodiazepine Use and Risks of Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations: A Retrospective Cohort Study
by Fang-Yu Su, Ming-Che Tsai, Yee-Yung Ng and Shiao-Chi Wu
Healthcare 2025, 13(16), 2073; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13162073 - 21 Aug 2025
Viewed by 329
Abstract
Background: In 2016, the U.S. FDA warned against concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines (BZDs) due to risks of respiratory depression and death. However, limited data exist in Asian populations. Methods: Using the Chang Gung Research Database in Taiwan, we conducted [...] Read more.
Background: In 2016, the U.S. FDA warned against concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines (BZDs) due to risks of respiratory depression and death. However, limited data exist in Asian populations. Methods: Using the Chang Gung Research Database in Taiwan, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 418,549 patients prescribed opioids between 2008 and 2018. Patients were categorized into four groups based on BZD use: opioid-only (PureO), past BZD use (PastB), continuous BZD use (ContiB), and newly initiated BZD use (NewB). Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate all-cause emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations during the one year follow-up following one year of co-use. Results: Compared with PureO, co-use groups had significantly higher odds of hospitalization (ContiB: aOR = 1.74; PastB: 1.54; NewB: 1.48) and ED visits (ContiB: 2.09; PastB: 2.04; NewB: 1.51). Elevated risks were also observed among older adults, and patients with depression, stroke or transient ischemic attack, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, as well as those with higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores. Conclusions: Our findings support the need for cautious prescribing and individualized deprescribing strategies to reduce avoidable acute healthcare utilization. Full article
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