Pharmacies play a critical role in ensuring patients receive the correct medications. When a pharmacy fails in its duties, particularly with compounded medications, the results can be disastrous, as seen in a recent case where children were hospitalized after receiving incorrectly compounded prescriptions. Pharmacy errors, like improper compounding, can lead to severe consequences. Under Maryland law, pharmacies must adhere to stringent regulations to ensure patient safety. Understanding these regulations and what happens when they are violated is essential for those affected by such mistakes.
Maryland Regulations for Pharmacy Compounding
In Maryland, pharmacies that engage in compounding must comply with state and federal laws designed to protect patients. Compounding is not as simple as filling a prescription—it requires creating custom medication by combining ingredients based on a patient’s needs. This process requires precision and oversight, and pharmacists are legally obligated to ensure that the medications they prepare are accurate, safe, and adequately documented.
In the recent incident involving compounded medications, authorities found several violations that contributed to the error, such as untrained personnel, inadequate documentation, and a lack of pharmacist oversight. Under Maryland law, these are serious breaches of duty. Pharmacies must have proper safeguards, including ensuring that pharmacists directly supervise the compounding process and that all ingredients and preparations are correctly documented. Any deviation from these standards can result in harmful medication errors.
Additionally, the Maryland Board of Pharmacy oversees the state’s licensing and regulation of pharmacies. When a pharmacy is found to be in violation of compounding regulations, the Board can take disciplinary action, which may include fines, suspension, or revocation of the pharmacy’s license.
When pharmacies fail to comply with these requirements, they are legally responsible for any harm caused to patients. This means that victims of pharmacy compounding errors in Maryland have the right to seek compensation for their damages, whether from physical harm, emotional distress, or financial losses.
What Are the Common Causes of Pharmacy Compounding Errors in Maryland
Compounding errors in Maryland pharmacies can result from a variety of preventable mistakes. One of the most frequent causes is a lack of proper training among pharmacy staff. Compounding medications requires specialized knowledge and skill, and when personnel are not adequately trained, the risk of errors increases significantly. Another common issue is insufficient oversight by licensed pharmacists. In Maryland, pharmacists are responsible for supervising all compounding activities, ensuring that the medications are prepared correctly and safely.
Inadequate documentation is another critical factor. Pharmacies must maintain accurate records of all compounded medications, including the ingredients, process, and storage conditions. Missing or incorrect documentation can lead to dangerous errors, such as incorrect dosages or contaminated ingredients. Ensuring pharmacies follow these standards is essential to preventing harmful outcomes and protecting patients from the risks associated with compounded medication errors.
Protecting Patients From Compounded Medication Errors in Maryland
Compounded medication errors are preventable. Maryland law provides specific guidelines to ensure that pharmacies maintain a high level of care when creating custom medications. For example, pharmacists must verify each step of the process, from checking the ingredients to reviewing the final product. Without this oversight, the risk of dangerous errors increases.
For patients, these errors can lead to serious health issues, including hospitalization, long-term medical complications, and, in some cases, death. In the case of the children who were hospitalized, compounded medications that were improperly prepared and distributed led to immediate and severe consequences.
Victims of pharmacy errors in Maryland have legal options available to them. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a compounding error, it is essential to understand your rights and the legal remedies that may be available to you. By holding pharmacies accountable, patients can not only recover compensation for their injuries but also help prevent future errors from occurring.
Contact the Dedicated Maryland Injury Lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen to Learn More
If you or a loved one was recently injured due to another’s negligence, it’s important you take a few minutes to learn about your rights and what you can do to hold the at-fault party accountable. At Lebowitz & Mzhen, we have decades of combined experience handling all types of personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice lawsuits on behalf of clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, give us a call at 800-654-1949. You can also connect with us through our secure online contact form.