Pharmacists are responsible for ensuring that the prescriptions they fill are correct. Of course, this means that pharmacists must take care to provide patients with the correct medication, at the correct dose, and with the appropriate dosing instructions. To be sure, most medication errors involve an oversight involving one of these issues. However, according to a recent news article, a pharmacist in New Zealand recently provided one patient with a three-month supply of medication that was just one month away from being expired.
Evidently, a patient went to the pharmacy to fill a prescription of Ferrograd. When the pharmacist provided the patient with the requested three-month supply, the pills provided to the patient were to expire in one month. A few months later, the patient went back to refill another prescription. This time, the pharmacist gave the patient the wrong drug entirely. At this time, the patient double-checked her Ferrograd prescription and realized it was expired. She returned the prescription for a replacement.
The supervisory board found that the pharmacist failed to fulfill the duty that was owed to the patient, and it implemented an investigation into the pharmacy’s practices. The pharmacy explained that whoever dispensed the prescription wrote down the incorrect drug name and retrieved the incorrect pills from a similar-looking bottle. The pharmacist ended up acknowledging her mistake and providing the patient with a written apology.
Maryland Pharmacy Errors
Pharmacists have a duty to ensure that all prescriptions are accurately filled with the correct medication, dosage, and instructions. In addition, pharmacists should make sure that the medication they are providing to their patients is not likely to expire before the patient takes it.
When pharmacists overlook details, patients suffer. Thankfully, Maryland law allows for anyone injured due to the negligence of a pharmacist to seek compensation for their injuries. Depending on the extent of the injuries, this may include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and any pain and suffering the patient endured as a result of the error.
It is important that potential pharmacy error plaintiffs keep in mind that this area of the law is highly scientific and very complex. In fact, most cases require at least one expert witness to establish the necessary elements of a pharmacy error case. To learn more about the laws surrounding pharmacy errors, contact a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney.
Have You Been a Victim of a Pharmacist’s Negligence?
If you or a loved one has recently been a victim of a pharmacy error, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The dedicated attorneys at the Maryland pharmacy error law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have extensive experience handling pharmacy error cases over several decades. We understand the complexities of these cases and have an extensive network of expert witnesses with whom we work. Call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney today.
More Blog Posts:
Pharmacy Error Rates May Be Artificially Low Due to a Lack of Mandatory Reporting Requirements, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, June 29, 2017.
Adverse Reactions to Prescription Medication, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, June 8, 2017.