Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
Each year, there are estimated to be approximately 1.5 million pharmacy errors across the United States. Of those, about half are later determined to have been preventable. While these figures may seem shocking, the reality is that the actual number of pharmacy errors may be much higher given lax pharmacy reporting requirements.
In most states, a discretionary reporting system is used. In general, even when mandatory reporting is implemented, a pharmacist is not required to report an error unless it results in patient harm. However, in many cases, a patient will not immediately show symptoms of a medication error. Thus, pharmacy errors that do not result in immediate serious harm or are not delivered to a patient do not need to be reported. If you have questions that relate to potential pharmacy negligence, contact a Maryland medication error attorney.
Mother Pushes for Stricter Reporting Requirements
Back in 2016, a young boy in Canada died in his sleep after his mother was given the wrong medication when she went to refill her son’s prescription. According to a recent news report covering the tragic accident, the boy suffered from parasomnia, which caused the boy to wake up screaming and crying in the middle of the night. The boy’s physician prescribed tryptophan, and the boy had taken the drug for about a year.
One day, the boy’s mother called in a refill to a local pharmacy. However, instead of tryptophan, the pharmacist provided the mother baclofen, a strong muscle relaxer. When the boy’s mom got home, without noticing an error had been made in the refill, she gave the medication to her son before bed. She then tucked her son in. However, the boy never woke up and passed away in his sleep. Months after the boy’s death, test results confirmed that he was administered a dose of baclofen that was three times stronger than the average adult dose.
After the son’s death, the boy’s mother was shocked to learn that unless she went to the media, the pharmacy error would have gone unreported. Thus, the mother took it upon herself to advocate on behalf of pharmacy error victims, encouraging lawmakers to adopt a mandatory reporting requirement.
Anyone who has been injured in a medication mix-up or other type of pharmacy error should discuss their situation with a dedicated pharmacy error attorney.
Do You Need an Attorney?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured as a result of a Maryland medication error, you may be entitled to monetary compensation through a pharmacy error lawsuit. At the Maryland-based law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC we represent injury victims in all types of Maryland personal injury claims, including pharmacy claims and medical malpractice claims. To learn more about how we can help you pursue a claim for compensation against the parties responsible for your injuries, call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation. We will not bill you for our services unless we can help you obtain compensation for your injuries.
More Blog Posts:
Court Rejects Defendant’s Claim that Plaintiff’s Case Was Filed Too Late, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, November 30, 2018.
New Technology Aims to Address the Danger of Prescription Errors in Maryland and throughout the United States, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, November 15, 2018.