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 proper medicine. Every patient deserves peace of mind when it comes to their medications, and to live free of the consequences of medical and pharmaceutical malpractice. Pharmacies are increasingly short-staffed and overworked, leading to frequent errors when distributing medication. When receiving a prescription, it can be worthwhile to ask if the bottle, pills, or anything else about the order is different than usual or expected.
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 that left a customer in the emergency room.
The article discusses how Greenville Pharmacy in Sioux City incorrectly filled a prescription for a customer who then began taking the drug. Three weeks later, the customer was treated in the emergency room of a hospital and was then admitted for what the board says was a “life-threatening condition resulting from this medication error.” Greenville Pharmacy was charged by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy with dispensing an incorrect prescription, although the available public documents don’t indicate whether the wrong drug or wrong dosage was dispensed. The records give no indication as to whether the customer recovered. As a result of the licensing board charge, Greenville Pharmacy agreed to have its license placed on probation for two years and agreed to pay a $2,500 civil penalty. Greenville Pharmacy has been sanctioned twice before, in 2002, and in 2005, for violating a law related to the practice of pharmacy and with the intentional or repeated violation of board rules.
How Common Are Medication Errors?
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 or Medication 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 talented attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen help you recover the financial award you deserve. Expenses and injuries from medication issues are scary and can quickly become overwhelming. 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 supported. 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.