People who regularly take prescription medicine or have received prescription medication in a hospital or clinic setting can appreciate the vital importance of best practices when it comes to receiving the medicine. Whether it is at the pharmacy or in the hospital, it is essential to be aware of safety measures that could make a major difference in the care you receive. Every patient deserves peace of mind when it comes to their medications, and to live free of the consequences of medical and pharmaceutical malpractice.
Incorrect or erroneous distribution or application of medications is surprisingly frequent in the United States. In fact, some sources cite a rate of one in five Americans experiencing a medical error while receiving health treatment. Unfortunately, Maryland is no exception to this trend, and Maryland residents should be aware of this issue throughout the state and the country. A recent news article discussed a medication error where a young child was given the wrong dosage by a pharmacy.
The article discusses a woman who says that a pharmacy error sickened her daughter when the girl received the wrong dosage of a liquid medication used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. The mother has since filed a complaint with the Board of Pharmacy after her daughter received a 5 daily milliliter dose of Quillivant XR instead of the prescribed 1 daily milliliter, stating that her daughter was admitted to the emergency room because of side effects from the higher dosage of medication. The state agency confirmed that a complaint had been filed. When she confronted Walgreens about the error, a pharmacist told the mother that the staff was rushed due to limited staffing levels and the order was misread. Walgreens issued a statement saying they do not discuss individual cases to protect patient confidentiality.
How Many Medication Are There Each Year?
The Food and Drug Administration receives more than 100,000 annual reports of medication errors — preventable events, such as prescribing the wrong dosage, that could harm patients or lead to inappropriate use of drugs. A study last year found that 7,000 to 9,000 people in the U.S. die from medication errors every year and that hundreds of thousands more have adverse reactions or complications that aren’t reported.
Do You Need a Maryland Pharmacy Error Attorney?
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed by a pharmacy or medication error in the Prince George’s, Baltimore, Charles, or Montgomery County region, let the experienced attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen help you recover the damages you deserve. Expenses and injuries from pharmacy errors can quickly become overwhelming, and having an experienced team of lawyers by your side can make all the difference. Our attorneys have successfully represented injury victims at every stage of the process, ensuring that they obtain the proper damages. With our team, you can have faith that your claim is being properly litigated. If you have questions about your case, call us today at 800-654-1949 and schedule a free and no-obligation initial consultation with a Maryland injury lawyer at our office.