Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog

Pharmacy Mix-Up Highlights the Dangers of Medication Errors Pose to Children

July 14, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A recent pharmacy error nearly exposed a young child to a life-threatening dose of opioids after the wrong prescription was dispensed. The intended medication was a stimulant commonly used to treat ADHD in children, but what was handed over instead was a highly potent opioid, hydromorphone. Fortunately, a parent noticed the mistake before the child took any of the pills. The outcome could have been catastrophic. Dispensing errors can and do happen, even at large, reputable pharmacies. When those mistakes involve medications with a high risk of overdose or abuse, the results can be devastating. If your child has been harmed due to a pharmacy’s negligence, a Maryland pharmaceutical error attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue justice.

When a Simple Mistake Becomes a Life-Threatening Emergency

Hydromorphone is not a drug intended for casual misuse. It is an opioid with a potency that is several times stronger than morphine and can lead to rapid respiratory depression if taken improperly. The National Library of Medicine warns that even a small dose can cause overdose or death if ingested by someone without opioid tolerance, particularly a child.

The stimulant medication that was initially prescribed for the child is often taken by pediatric patients for years and is typically well-tolerated when monitored. Swapping it with a drug used to treat severe pain in adult patients is not just a mix-up; it is a near-tragedy. What occurred in this case was a failure in one of the most basic duties of pharmaceutical care: verifying that the correct medication is administered to the intended patient.

Maryland Medication Errors Continue to Harm Patients Despite New Technology

June 22, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Despite significant medical advancements, pharmaceutical errors still affect thousands of people in Maryland and across the country. Even in controlled hospital environments, patients continue to receive the wrong drug or the wrong dose. These events can cause severe injury, long-term complications, or death. In late May, new research out of the University of Washington shed light on a tool that may help reduce these errors in the future. However, technology alone will not address the root causes that lead to medication mistakes being so common. For individuals already harmed by these errors, accountability and legal support remain vital.

Medication Mistakes Are Still One of the Most Common Patient Safety Failures

Every year, millions of prescriptions are filled in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and pharmacies. Even when labeled and prepared carefully, errors happen at every stage from ordering, mixing, labeling, and delivering, to final administration. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.3 million people in the U.S. are harmed by medication errors each year, and at least one person dies daily because of them.

Patients Should Pay Close Attention to the List of Recalled Drugs

May 7, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Prescription errors are often associated with a pharmacist grabbing the wrong bottle or misreading a dosage. However, some mistakes begin far earlier at the manufacturing stage. A recent nationwide recall involving nearly 40 generic medications is a critical reminder that pharmacy errors can originate in the production process, with consequences for patients across Maryland and beyond.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a sweeping recall of medications manufactured by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. The recall includes common treatments for high blood pressure, seizures, cholesterol, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. These drugs were sold throughout the United States, many through local pharmacies, with some reaching consumers through online retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

Why the Glenmark Medications Were Recalled

The FDA labeled this as a Class II recall, which means the medications pose a risk of temporary or medically reversible health issues. The agency did not specify whether any serious injuries had occurred as a result of these drugs. However, the underlying cause of the recall points to serious lapses in manufacturing standards.

Medication Errors Can Put Maryland Patients at Serious Risk

April 30, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

When you pick up a prescription, you trust that the pharmacy is giving you the proper medication. A simple mistake behind the counter can have serious, even life-threatening consequences. In Maryland, pharmacies must follow strict guidelines to ensure that drugs are dispensed correctly and errors are reported promptly. If they fail, you have the right to hold them accountable.

A recent case from Iowa shows just how dangerous these errors can be. A Hy-Vee Pharmacy dispensed the wrong medication to a patient, giving her a different migraine drug intended for someone else. Even more troubling, the pharmacy failed to report the mistake within the required time. In Maryland, pharmacies face similar obligations to patients. An error like this could support a strong claim for compensation if it causes harm.

Understanding Pharmacy Error Responsibilities in Maryland

Under Maryland law, pharmacies must exercise a high standard of care when filling prescriptions. Pharmacists and technicians must ensure that the correct medication is dispensed, provide appropriate labeling, and counsel patients on how to use their medication safely and effectively. Maryland’s Board of Pharmacy also requires pharmacies to have systems in place for documenting and reviewing any medication errors.

In the Iowa case, it took the pharmacy five days to realize that the wrong drug had been handed out. That delay can make a bad situation even worse. In Maryland, failure to promptly report and address medication errors could violate state regulations and further expose a pharmacy to liability. A proper response means immediate notification of the patient, careful documentation, and corrective action to prevent future errors.

Walgreens Accused of Filling Millions of Illegitimate Prescriptions in Federal Lawsuit

March 31, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Walgreens, alleging the pharmacy chain played a direct role in fueling the opioid crisis by filling millions of unlawful prescriptions over the last decade. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, claims Walgreens pharmacists repeatedly dispensed controlled substances without verifying their legitimacy, allowing massive quantities of opioids and other drugs to flow through its stores unchecked. The allegations include violations of the Controlled Substances Act and the False Claims Act, underscoring the severity of the claims against one of the country’s largest pharmacy chains.

Federal prosecutors argue that Walgreens ignored red flags signaling fraudulent prescriptions and pressured its pharmacists to prioritize speed over proper scrutiny. The company allegedly discouraged internal communication among pharmacy staff, preventing pharmacists from warning each other about high-risk prescribers. Internal data, which should have revealed patterns of abuse, was also reportedly disregarded. The lawsuit contends that Walgreens actively created an environment where pharmacists lacked the resources and authority to intervene, even when they suspected illegal activity.

Has Walgreens Played a Role in the Opoiod Crisis?

Opioid addiction has devastated communities across the country, and pharmacies are supposed to act as a safeguard against improper distribution. Instead, the Justice Department claims Walgreens became a key link in a broken system, allowing opioids to be dispensed in excessive amounts with little oversight. According to the complaint, the company filled prescriptions that were blatantly unlawful, ignored concerns raised by its own pharmacists, and continued processing opioid orders despite clear signs of abuse.

AI Cameras and Pharmacy Errors in Maryland

March 5, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Medication errors remain one of the most serious risks in clinical and pharmacy settings, often leading to severe health complications or fatalities. With new advancements in artificial intelligence, AI-enabled wearable cameras could change how drug dispensing errors are detected and prevented. These cameras, designed to monitor and verify drug vial and syringe matches in real time, offer a glimpse into the future of error prevention. While this technology holds promise for reducing medication-related harm, it also raises important legal questions about liability when mistakes occur.

<strong> How Can AI Reduce Pharmacy Errors?</strong>

Pharmacy errors happen for various reasons, from mislabeling and incorrect dosages to dispensing the wrong medication. Introducing AI cameras, such as those tested in hospital settings to detect vial swap errors, could help prevent these mistakes before they reach patients. These wearable cameras use deep learning algorithms to identify the drug type on a vial label and verify that it matches the medication being prepared. If an error is detected, the system can issue an alert, allowing pharmacists, anesthesiologists, or other medical professionals to correct the mistake before administration.

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The Risks of Compounded Medications in Maryland Pharmacies

February 28, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Prescription errors can have devastating consequences, particularly when they involve compounded medications that do not undergo the same rigorous testing as FDA-approved drugs. A recent JAMA study highlights growing concerns about compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), which have surged in popularity due to their effectiveness in treating diabetes and promoting weight loss. While compounding pharmacies play an important role in customizing medications for individual needs, errors in this process can result in serious health risks.

Understanding the risks associated with compounded drugs is essential for Maryland patients who rely on pharmacies to provide safe medications. When a pharmacy makes an error with a compounded medication, patients may suffer severe side effects, incorrect dosages, or exposure to harmful contaminants. Legal options exist for those harmed by prescription mistakes, but proving liability requires an experienced attorney who understands the regulations surrounding Maryland pharmacies and compounded drugs.

Understanding Compounded Medications and Their Purpose

How Pharmacy Errors Threaten Patient Safety in Maryland

February 22, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Errors in pharmacy settings create significant risks for patients, especially when healthcare facilities fail to provide adequate staffing and oversight. Prescription mistakes, ranging from incorrect dosages to harmful drug interactions, can lead to severe complications. These preventable errors often stem from systemic failures, including poor management and high turnover among pharmacy teams. Patients in Maryland trust hospitals and pharmacies to ensure their safety, but the consequences can be devastating when that trust is broken.

Medication reconciliation programs, designed to review and verify patients’ medication histories, are a vital safeguard. These programs aim to prevent adverse drug events by identifying inconsistencies, such as duplicate prescriptions or omissions. However, their ability to protect patients diminishes when reconciliation teams face resource shortages. As a result, medication errors become more frequent and more dangerous, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and systemic reform.

The Critical Role of Medication Reconciliation Programs

Pharmacy Errors and Patient Safety: What Maryland Patients Need to Know

December 27, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Recent allegations against a pharmacy for medication errors and record-keeping failures highlight the devastating impact pharmacy mistakes can have on patients’ lives. Cases of incorrect prescriptions, improper labeling, and unreported errors underscore the risks patients face when pharmacies fail to meet their professional obligations. Under Maryland law, pharmacies and their staff have strict licensing requirements and responsibilities to ensure patient safety. When errors occur, victims may be entitled to pursue legal compensation claims.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a pharmacy error, understanding your rights and the legal options available is essential to recovering damages and preventing further harm.

What Are the Licensing Requirements and Responsibilities for Maryland Pharmacies?

Pharmacies in Maryland operate under strict licensing requirements enforced by the Maryland Board of Pharmacy. These regulations ensure that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians maintain the necessary qualifications and adhere to professional standards. Pharmacies are required to maintain accurate records of prescriptions and transactions to ensure accountability and traceability in their operations. They must also comply with federal and state laws that govern the safe and lawful dispensing of medications. Additionally, pharmacies are expected to participate in quality improvement programs designed to identify and prevent errors, ensuring that patient safety remains a top priority in their practices.

AI-Enabled Wearables May Help Pharmacists Detect Medication Errors

November 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare continues to revolutionize patient safety, particularly in preventing medication errors. According to a recent report from TechTarget Health IT, researchers have developed an AI-enabled wearable device that monitors patients and identifies medication errors in real-time. This cutting-edge technology not only enhances patient safety but also highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with medication errors.

For patients who suffer harm due to medication mistakes, these innovations may provide an additional layer of protection. However, even the most advanced technology cannot replace the need for accountability when errors occur. In such cases, pharmacy error attorneys play a critical role in helping victims seek justice and compensation.

The Role of AI in Medication Safety