[Drugs "look-alike, sound-alike": an important issue in infectious diseases].

Incidents linked to the prescription of medications also referred to as "look-alike, sound-alike" are frequent both in the ambulatory and in hospital sectors. These incidents are associated with relevant morbidity and mortality. Next to other specialties of medicine, infectiology is particularly affected. Strategies to reduce these risks have been devised, but available recommendations are frequently poorly observed. A heightened awareness regarding the "look-alike, sound-alike" problem among doctors as well as other health care professionals, regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical industry would help assure and maintain increased patient safety and quality of care.