ACP has learned of instances where prescriptions for injectable drugs are being written for a route of administration that contradicts the approved route of administration for the product. For example, ACP has been informed of several instances where prescriptions are written for subcutaneous injections of methotrexate, which contradicted with the drug’s product monograph. In these cases, the approved route of administration for methotrexate that was used was intramuscular, intraarterial, or intravascular.
Pharmacists must ensure that the drug to be administered by injection has been approved for the route of administration that has been ordered. This should take place during the pharmacist’s assessment of appropriateness prior to administering the drug. If a discrepancy between the ordered route of administration and the drug’s approved route(s) of administration is identified, the pharmacist must take appropriate action to correct this discrepancy.
