Pharmacy errors are a serious cause for concern nationwide, with thousands of Americans suffering injury, illness, or death each year because of a negligently prescribed, prepared, or filled medications. Both state and federal regulators attempt to ensure compliance with pharmacy safety standards, however the regulators often fail to hold negligent doctors, pharmacies, and employees accountable in the event of an error. This point is demonstrated in a recently published story of a boy who suffered serious complications after consuming prescribed medication that was 14x stronger than intended or labeled.
According to the recently published report, the parents of a five-year-old autistic boy were alarmed when their child started reacting poorly to a medication that had been prepared by their pharmacy. The medication in question was a compounded mixture of several medications to assist the boy with sleeping. When the parents noticed the boy going into an unconscious sleep while standing shortly after consuming the medication, the boy was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for an overdose of a medication generally prescribed for high blood pressure. The boy ultimately recovered from the overdose, but the parents suspected that an error had occurred in the preparation of the medication.
The child’s parents reported the issue to the regulatory board in charge of medication error. The couple also performed some investigation of their own, paying out-of-pocket to have the formula tested in a laboratory, which revealed the error once and for all. Armed with the information, the parents sought accountability through the regulatory body, and were disappointed when neither the pharmacy nor any of their employees were disciplined for the dangerous mistake. Unfortunately, the regulatory agencies tasked with ensuring the safety of patients throughout the country are often staffed by supporters of the medical industry, who may have been lobbied by advocates for reduced accountability for medical and pharmacy malpractice.
When regulators fail to do their jobs and pharmacy errors are not fairly addressed, patients and their families are the clear losers. The parents in this case took their grievances to the media, in an attempt to use the public to hold the guilty parties accountable for their son’s overdose. In addition to media coverage, victims of pharmacy error can seek relief in civil court for their losses. Whether a regulatory agency decides to punish a guilty party is not relevant to a case for pharmacy malpractice.
What Can Pharmacy Error Victims Do to Hold Negligent Pharmacists Accountable?
At the first sign of a serious pharmacy error, a potential victim can enlist the help of a pharmacy error attorney, who may be able to take over the investigation with no out-of-pocket costs to the victim. Proving a pharmacy error can be difficult, and no victims should go at the task alone.
Your Qualified DC, Maryland, or Virginia Pharmacy Error Attorney
If you or someone you know suspects that they have been hurt by a pharmacy error, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. The experienced Maryland pharmacy error attorneys from Lebowitz and Mzhen can help you decide if a claim is worth pursuing, and we can take the reins in holding the guilty parties responsible for your loss. We represent Clients across Maryland, including Prince George’s, Charles, Baltimore, and Montgomery Counties.Contact us to schedule a no obligation consultation to discuss your case with an experienced attorney today. Call now at 800-654-1949 to schedule a free consultation.