Abstract: This literature review focused on research that primarily addresses the issues related to medications that arise in tertiary care facilities. It finds that investigations into medication errors have primarily focused on the role of nurses, and tended to identify the nurse as deliverer of unsafe practice. Over the past few years a shift in how medication errors are understood has led to the identification of systems-related issues that contribute to medication errors. The author suggests that nurses should contribute to initiatives such as the 'Quality and Safe Use of Medicines' and develop nursing led research, to address some of the safety related issues with a view to enhancing patient safety.