Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, many pharmacies have been stretched to their limits because pharmacists are often manning the phones, the drop-off and pick-up area in the pharmacy itself, dealing with drive-through customers, and giving out vaccinations—all at the same time.
No matter how busy a pharmacy or pharmacist team is, however, consumers should be able to trust that the medication they are receiving is correct. Because pharmacists must exercise extreme attention to detail when prescribing medication down to the type, dose, and patient who is receiving the prescription, when a mistake is made, it can often have devastating consequences. When pharmacies are especially busy and prone to mistakes, it is more crucial than ever that they are held accountable for any injuries or issues their mistakes may cause.
According to a recent local news report, a Baltimore pharmacy has temporarily stopped administering COVID-19 vaccines because its staff has been stretched to its limits. In addition to the global pandemic resulting in a greater demand for pharmacy services, a state-required audit of Maryland pharmacies has pushed already busy pharmacies to their breaking point. Although the state of Maryland offered an extension, the owner of the Baltimore pharmacy stated that holding off for a few extra weeks simply would not be enough.
During COVID-19, many pharmacies, large and small, have also experienced staff shortages, which has further exacerbated the problem. With an increased workload, many pharmacies have had to make difficult decisions about what their team is capable of handling and proceeding with safely. Currently, the Baltimore pharmacy and its staff members are working on the audit and hope to begin vaccinating patients again in the near future.
Unfortunately, this Baltimore pharmacy is not the only pharmacy in Maryland that has been busier than usual. Nowadays, it seems every business we frequent is understaffed—but not every business with low staffing numbers also carries such heavy responsibility toward the health and safety of their customers.
How Common Are Medication Errors?
When a pharmacy makes an error when distributing a prescription, it could result in injury, and in extreme cases, even death. Each year, in the United States alone, 7,000 to 9,000 people die due to medication errors. The most common reasons for such errors include confusion over similarly named drugs, dose or weight errors, or wrong drug selection chosen from a drop-down menu at the pharmacy. In addition, errors involving a failure to communicate drug orders and illegible handwriting often can result in patient injury, pain, and suffering. A dedicated personal injury lawyer can help you determine if you have a case and how to proceed to maximize your chances of success.
Do You Need a Maryland Pharmacy Error Lawyer?
If you or someone you know was recently injured or killed because of a Maryland medication error, contact the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen for assistance today. Our lawyers have years of experience representing clients in all types of personal injury claims and believe that patient satisfaction and trust in the health care system should be a guarantee. To schedule a free initial consultation with a member of our team today, contact us at 1-800-654-1949. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our services unless we can recover compensation on your behalf.