Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
Each year, medicine and technology get more and more advanced, leading to improvements in the quality and delivery of health care across the country. Despite these improvements, however, errors still occur in health care delivery, particularly regarding pharmacy and medication. In fact, Maryland pharmacy errors occur frequently, jeopardizing the health and well-being of patients. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) is a nonprofit organization that works closely with health care practitioners, institutions, regulatory agencies, professional organizations, and the pharmaceutical industry to create awareness of and provide education about medication errors and how to prevent them.
Every other week, ISMP produces a newsletter with timely information related to pharmacy error prevention. Looking at the newsletters from January 2020 through December 2020 provides important insight into the trends seen in pharmacy errors last year. Pharmacy Practice News recently provided a summary of these newsletters on their website.
In the Pharmacy Practice News summary, several key problem areas were identified. One was safety issues related to labeling, packaging, and nomenclature. For example, a pharmacist might mix-up two different medications that have similar labeling or names, giving the wrong one to the patient. Another area of concern was safety issues associated with order communication and documentation. For example, health officials searching for drugs by generic names and accidentally substituting non-substitutable drugs. Finally, there are problems involving drug information, patient information, patient education, and staff education. For example, two patients mixed up their insulin pens which looked alike but with different labels and manufacturers, meaning they gave themselves the wrong insulin, leading to hyperglycemia.
These reported incidents and areas of concern were just a few identified throughout 2020. While medicine has come a long way, it is important that Maryland residents do not assume that their doctor or pharmacist never makes a mistake.
Are Pharmacy Errors Common?
The reality is that Maryland pharmacy errors happen regularly, and patients should be aware and monitor their medications and their symptoms closely. When picking up a prescription, always double-check the bottle, the label, and the actual medication, especially if it’s a new one. If you have questions about your prescription, dosage, or the usage, make sure to ask your pharmacy or doctor, rather than just assuming. And, in the case that a Maryland pharmacy error does occur, consider working with a personal injury attorney to file a personal injury lawsuit. These lawsuits can provide financial compensation for the harm done, helping injured or ill patients get their lives back on track.
Contact a Maryland Pharmacy Error Attorney Today
If you’re suffering as the result of a confirmed or suspected Maryland pharmacy errors, call the law office of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, today. Our personal injury attorneys are working hard every day to recover financial compensation for Maryland clients just like you. With years of experience, our compassionate attorneys understand how to hold negligent pharmacists accountable and how to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Don’t delay, call now and schedule your free initial consultation with one of our attorneys: 800-654-1949. Or, fill out our online form.