Evaluation of Pharmacy Information Systems: Recommendations for Systems Development

The pharmacy information system (PIS) is a subsystem of the hospital information system (HIS). In this study, the PIS implemented in hospitals affiliated with three medical universities in Tehran (Iran) were evaluated.
This applied study was conducted using descriptive method in 2015. The study sample included five PISs in hospitals affiliated with three medical universities in Tehran which were selected and evaluated according to the system suppliers. The data were collected through observation and using a checklist (addressing both general and specific criteria). The content validity of the checklist was approved by 6 experts in the field. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics.
With respect to the general features of the systems, only two systems were capable of restricting repeated attempts made for unauthorized access to the system. The evaluation of the specific criteria of the systems showed that no attention was paid to patient safety aspects. Furthermore, it was revealed that there was no connection between these systems and information systems of pharmaceutical companies.
Financial aspects were the main consideration when designing and producing PISs and little attention was paid to therapeutic criteria such as patient safety. Efficient and effective use of PISs requires the consideration of both general and specific aspects in the development of such systems.