There are four main types of drug distribution systems for dispensing medications to hospital inpatients: (1) individual prescription order system, (2) complete floor stock system, (3) combination of individual and floor stock system, and (4) unit dose dispensing (UDD) system. The UDD system, where medications are packaged and labeled in individual doses, is the safest and most efficient but most expensive. The best system depends on factors like hospital size, patient population, and budget. Pharmacists must understand these options to choose a distribution method that safely and effectively delivers medications to patients.

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INTRODUCTION
Dispensing of drugs to inpatients is a critical process in ensuring
the safe and effective delivery of medication to patients. It is
important for pharmacists to have a good understanding of the
different types of drugs distribution systems in order to choose the
most appropriate system for their hospital or healthcare facility.
•Types of Drugs Distribution Systems
•There are four main types of drugs distribution systems: -
1. Individual prescription order system: This is the most traditional
system, where the physician writes a prescription for each
individual patient. The patient then takes the prescription to the
pharmacy, where it is dispensed. This system is relatively simple to
implement, but it can be time-consuming and prone to errors.

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2. Complete floor stock system: In this system, a stock of medications is
kept on each nursing unit. The nurses are responsible for dispensing the
medications to patients according to the physician's orders. This system can
be more convenient for nurses and patients, but it can also lead to
medication errors and waste.
3. Combination of individual and floor stock system: This system is a hybrid
of the first two systems. A small supply of medications is kept on each
nursing unit for common medications and emergency use. The rest of the
medications are dispensed from the pharmacy on an individual basis. This
system can help to reduce medication errors and waste, while also providing
convenience for nurses and patients.
4. Unit dose dispensing (UDD) system: In this system, all medications are
dispensed in pre-packaged individual doses. The medications are packaged
and labeled by the pharmacy and then distributed to the nursing units. The
nurses are then responsible for administering the medications to patients
according to the physician's orders. UDD is the most expensive type of
drugs distribution system, but it is also the safest and most efficient.

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Dispensing of Drugs to Inpatients
The dispensing of drugs to inpatients typically follows these steps:
1.The physician writes a prescription for the patient.
2.The prescription is sent to the pharmacy.
3.The pharmacist reviews the prescription and makes sure that it is
accurate and complete.
4.The pharmacist dispenses the medication to the patient or to the
nursing unit, depending on the drugs distribution system in place.
5.The nurse administers the medication to the patient according to
the physician's orders.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Drugs Distribution
Systems
Individual prescription order system:
•Advantages:
• Simple to implement
•Disadvantages:
• Time-consuming
• Prone to errors
Complete floor stock system:
•Advantages:
• Convenient for nurses and patients
•Disadvantages:
• Can lead to medication errors and waste

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Combination of individual and floor stock system:
•Advantages:
• Can help to reduce medication errors and waste
• Provides convenience for nurses and patients
•Disadvantages:
• Can be more complex to implement
Unit dose dispensing (UDD) system:
UDD is the most expensive type of drugs distribution system, but it is also the
safest and most efficient. In a UDD system, all medications are dispensed in
pre-packaged individual doses. This helps to reduce medication errors and
waste. UDD also provides a number of other benefits, such as:
•Improved patient safety: UDD helps to reduce the risk of medication errors
by ensuring that each patient receives the correct medication, dosage, and
route of administration.

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•Increased efficiency: UDD can help to improve the efficiency of the
pharmacy and nursing staff by reducing the amount of time spent on
dispensing and administering medications.
•Better inventory control: UDD helps to improve inventory control by making it
easier to track the use of medications and to identify expired medications.
•Advantages:
• Safest and most efficient drugs distribution system
•Disadvantages:
• Most expensive drugs distribution system
Choosing the Right Drugs Distribution System
The best drugs distribution system for a particular hospital or healthcare
facility will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the facility, the
types of patients served, and the budget. For example, a small hospital with a
limited budget may choose to use the individual prescription order system,
while a large hospital with a complex patient population may choose to use
the UDD system.

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Conclusion
The dispensing of drugs to inpatients is a critical process in ensuring the
safe and effective delivery of medication to patients. Pharmacists play a vital
role in this process by ensuring that medications are dispensed accurately
and completely. By understanding the different types of drugs distribution
systems available, pharmacists can choose the most appropriate system for
their hospital or healthcare facility.

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