Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
When children are sick, they rely on their parents to provide them with the medical care and medication that they need. Most of the time, parents are able to determine what their child needs and can provide it to them on their own. However, since children’s bodies are so small, a dosing error can easily occur if a parent is not careful.
A recent article written by one of the pharmacists at the Poison Control Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia goes over some things that parents can do to help ensure that they do not accidentally administer too much, too little, or the wrong type of medication to their children.
Six Safety Tips When Giving Children Medication
- Use a Measuring Device: Be sure to ask your pharmacist for the proper measuring cup or syringe to administer your child’s medication. A kitchen teaspoon is not an exact measurement.
- Read the Label: Be sure to familiarize yourself with the medication’s label. And don’t assume that more is better. In some cases providing a child too much medication can result in serious injury.
- Know the Ingredients: Some ingredients in common over-the-counter medications can have dangerous reactions when combined. Be sure to double-check all ingredients for potential interactions.
- Communicate Clearly: Be sure to communicate with your partner about when your children are given medicine in order to prevent double-dosing.
- Talk to Children about Medication Safety: Don’t play the “it’s candy” game with your children, since it can result in them looking for the medication when you are not around and ingesting dangerous amounts of it.
- Be Your Child’s Advocate: Don’t assume anyone else is looking out for your child. Make sure you know all the ingredients in your child’s medications, the reactions they have to certain medications, and how effective certain medications are for your child. While doctors and pharmacists are trained professionals, they do still make mistakes.
What Happens When a Pharmacist Gives the Wrong Medication
No matter how many precautions a parent takes, there is always the chance that the pharmacist mis-filled the prescription. In some cases, parents may catch this kind of error, but it may be difficult to do so. If you gave your child medication that was improperly provided to you by the filling pharmacist, you may be entitled to compensation for any medical bills that your child incurred as a result. To learn more, contact a dedicated pharmacy error attorney.
Has Your Child Been Injured by a Medication Error?
If a pharmacist provided you the wrong medication for your child’s prescription, and your child was made ill as a result, you may have a case for monetary damages against the pharmacy. All pharmacists have a duty to accurately fill all their patients’ prescriptions, and when they fail to live up to that duty they may be held legally responsible for their negligence. Keep in mind, however, that pharmacies will rarely voluntarily cover these expenses. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free initial consultation with a pharmacy error attorney today.
More Blog Posts:
Woman Hospitalized for “Poisoning” After Pharmacist’s Error, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, February 23, 2015.
California Costco Pharmacy Mis-Fills One Patient’s Prescription Twice in One Year, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, January 22, 2015.