Off-label prescribing

  Off-label prescribing occurs when a medication is used for a purpose that is not approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). It may involve using a medication in a different dosage, route of administration or for a different patient population. While off-label prescribing is legal and sometimes necessary, it may pose ethical and safety considerations. Pharmacists should be aware that off-label prescribing is not uncommon, and that they play a vital role in ensuring patient safety and promoting the appropriate use of medications. This Practice Alert aims to ex…