Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
Earlier this month, a prescription drug designed and marketed for the treatment of some kinds of cancer, including brain cancer, was recalled because a number of the bottles that contained the drug had faulty caps. According to one industry news report, the caps of approximately 1,100 bottles of the prescription drug, Temozolomide, have the potential to crack, nullifying the childproof nature of the cap.
Evidently, the side effects of the medication are potentially severe, even for adults, and can include respiratory failure, terminated pregnancy, infertility, severe vomiting, and nausea. To ensure that the medication is not ingested by curious children, the U.S. government requires that potentially dangerous drugs like Temozolomide are packaged in childproof packaging. However, for an unknown reason, the caps on a significant number of these bottles were defective.
Specifically, the bottles that may be in danger of having cracked lids were sold between July 2013 and August 2015. The bottles at issue are the five- and 14-count brown bottles with black lettering. Merck, the manufacturer of the drug, has told patients to inspect the caps of their medication and to remove the bottles from the reach of children. In addition, Merck has suggested that all pharmacists who handle bottles of Temozolomide double check to ensure that the caps are in good condition. Of course, any bottle that does have a cracked lid should not be distributed to a patient.
Drug Recalls and Potential Pharmacist Liability
A prescription drug may be recalled for a number of reasons. Despite the FDA’s best efforts, sometimes prescription drugs can cause more harm than initial trials indicate. Other times, problems with a medication’s packaging, dosing, or composition make it unsafe for its intended recipients.
In cases when a recalled drug is provided to a patient, the pharmacist – as well as the drug company itself – may be held liable for any injuries that are caused as a result. This is especially the case if the pharmacist is aware that there could be a problem with the drug when it is prescribed to a certain population of people, such as pregnant women, or when there are known issues with a drug’s packaging. To learn more about liability in prescription drug injuries, contact a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney with questions.
Have You Been Injured Due to a Pharmacist’s Error or Oversight?
If you believe that you or a loved one has recently been injured due to the oversight of a pharmacist, you may be entitled to monetary damages. Pharmacist errors occur on a daily basis across the United States and range from misfiled prescriptions to inaccurate doses to providing medication in recalled or otherwise faulty packaging. To learn more about how you may be able to recover financially for what you have been through, call 410-654-3600 to set up a free consultation with an experienced attorney. Calling is free and will not result in any obligation on your part.
More Blog Posts:
Mother Catches Pharmacy Error Before Providing Medication to Her Five-Month-Old Son, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, July 29, 2015.
Causes and Effects of Pharmacy Errors, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog,August 14, 2015.