Objectives. Extensive drug utilization, and non-concordance between the patient and the caregiver about prescriptions andactual medicine intake, are associated with the risk of non-adherence to medication as well as medication-related illness. Toachieve reliable estimates of drug use, it is important to consider the patient’s self-reported drug utilization as well as toconsult his/her medical record. The present multicentre study was conducted with the aim of examining the self-reporteddrug consumption of dialysis patients and its congruence with medical records.

Material and methods. Consumption ofpharmaceutical agents was recorded by 204 patients undergoing haemo- or peritoneal dialysis at 10 Swedish clinics. Drugrecord discrepancies were identified by comparing the self-reported use of prescribed medicines with the subsequentlyobtained medication lists.

Results. The median drug intake was 11 prescribed medicines and by including on-demand drugsthis increased to 12. Discrepancies between the self-reported use of prescribed drugs and the medical record were prevalentin 80.4% of cases, with a median of three discrepancies per patient.

Conclusions. Dialysis patients have an extensive need formedication but there is an undesirable deviation between consumption and prescription. A single medication list, accessiblefor the patient and for all prescribers, is a possible solution to achieve concordance but other measures, such as analysis ofthe reasons for discrepancy and tailored measures, would also benefit concordant medicine-taking.