The Strategic Planning and Performance Group of the Department of Health (Northern Ireland) has introduced the 5 Moments for Medication Safety campaign to strengthen safe medication practices across Northern Ireland.
The initiative highlights five key moments when medication safety is most critical, from prescribing and dispensing through to administration and monitoring. It aims to help pharmacy professionals, prescribers, and healthcare staff identify and reduce risks at every stage of the medication process.
The five moments are:
- When starting a medication – Ask why the medication is needed, how it works, and how to take it correctly.
- When taking a medication – Follow instructions carefully and report any side effects or concerns.
- When adding a medication – Check for interactions and ensure all medicines are working safely together.
- When reviewing a medication – Regularly assess whether the medicine is still needed or effective.
- When stopping a medication – Understand when and how to safely discontinue a medication.
For community and hospital pharmacy teams, the campaign provides a clear framework for improving patient outcomes and preventing medication-related incidents by embedding safety awareness into daily practice.
The 5 Moments for Medication Safety campaign reinforces the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility across all sectors of healthcare to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines for every patient.