A 3 R's approach in drug monitoring for the benefit of patients

Medication has been playing an important part in contemporary medicine. Over the years, prescription of medication in health care sectors was largely determined by the therapeutic and potential adverse effects of the medicine, ethics in drug manufacturing processes and the quality of drugs have long been deemed only the responsibilities of companies and the government. So far little discussion has been made by the field on the importance of front-line drug quality monitoring in the clinical stage; however, global experiences and recent incidents in Hong Kong appear urging us to deeply contemplate again the roles of health care professionals (HCP) in this issue. To fill such a knowledge gap, this chapter will first review some of the drug incidences across nations, followed by recommendations on a front-line approach in drug monitoring for the benefit of patients.