Introduction:

A system consists of coordinated parts having their own functions and articulated with the whole. In health, the medication system is complex and involves several stages, which must be safe to provide quality care. If this system exhibits weaknesses, errors can occur in one or more of its stages, which interferes with patient safety.

Objective:

To reflect on the complexity of the medication system and its interface with patient safety based on the concepts of Edgar Morin's theory.

Methods:

Reflective study carried out from readings correlated with the thematic field, through scientific articles available in SciELO databases and in the Virtual Health Library. The selection of the materials took place in August 2016.

Conclusions:

The articulation between the complexity paradigm and the medication system allows us to glimpse opportunities for improvements in the quality of safe care. However, for a better understanding of these systems, new research needs to be developed to contribute effectively with patient health care.

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