What is the main purpose of medication reconciliation in healthcare?

The primary purpose of medication reconciliation in healthcare is to ensure patient safety by managing medication lists. This process involves comparing a patient's current medications with those prescribed during a healthcare visit or transition in care, such as admission or discharge from a hospital. Medication reconciliation helps to identify discrepancies, such as omissions, duplications, or potential harmful interactions among medications that could impede treatment outcomes or jeopardize patient safety.

By maintaining an accurate and up-to-date list of medications, healthcare providers can make informed decisions about therapy and reduce the risk of medication errors. Ensuring that patients receive the correct medications in the correct dosages is essential for effective treatment and minimized adverse drug events.

The other choices, while relevant to various aspects of healthcare, do not capture the essential goal of medication reconciliation. For instance, increasing pharmacy sales, simplifying insurance reimbursement processes, and preparing medications for clinical trials, though important in their own contexts, do not directly relate to the goal of ensuring that patients are safely and effectively managed with their medications.