What does the S.T.E.P.S program focus on?

What does the S.T.E.P.S program focus on?

• A. Patient safety for psychotropic medications
• B. Thalidomide education and prescribing safety
• C. Tracking controlled substance prescriptions
• D. Mandatory training for pharmacy staff

Answer: (B)

The S.T.E.P.S program, which stands for System for Thalidomide Education and Prescribing Safety, is specifically designed to ensure safe prescribing and use of thalidomide. This medication, initially withdrawn from the market due to its association with severe birth defects, is now used for certain conditions like multiple myeloma and leprosy. The program aims to mitigate the risks associated with thalidomide, particularly the risk of teratogenic effects, by implementing strict guidelines for healthcare providers involved in its prescribing and management. Through the S.T.E.P.S program, there are comprehensive educational requirements for healthcare professionals, as well as monitoring protocols to ensure that patients are not exposed to the drug unless they are enrolled in the program. This focuses on patient safety, understanding of the drug's risks, and appropriate patient management, which makes this answer the best option in context. The other options, while relevant to different aspects of pharmacy practice and safety, do not specifically pertain to the focus of the S.T.E.P.S program. For instance, patient safety for psychotropic medications is a broader category that encompasses many drugs, not just thalidomide. Tracking controlled substance prescriptions and mandatory training for pharmacy staff address different regulatory and operational

The S.T.E.P.S program, which stands for System for Thalidomide Education and Prescribing Safety, is specifically designed to ensure safe prescribing and use of thalidomide. This medication, initially withdrawn from the market due to its association with severe birth defects, is now used for certain conditions like multiple myeloma and leprosy. The program aims to mitigate the risks associated with thalidomide, particularly the risk of teratogenic effects, by implementing strict guidelines for healthcare providers involved in its prescribing and management.

Through the S.T.E.P.S program, there are comprehensive educational requirements for healthcare professionals, as well as monitoring protocols to ensure that patients are not exposed to the drug unless they are enrolled in the program. This focuses on patient safety, understanding of the drug's risks, and appropriate patient management, which makes this answer the best option in context.

The other options, while relevant to different aspects of pharmacy practice and safety, do not specifically pertain to the focus of the S.T.E.P.S program. For instance, patient safety for psychotropic medications is a broader category that encompasses many drugs, not just thalidomide. Tracking controlled substance prescriptions and mandatory training for pharmacy staff address different regulatory and operational