Pharmacy Dispensing Errors
Pharmacy Dispensing Errors Put Patients at Risk
As chain and local pharmacies struggle with prescription demands, the mistakes increase. Pharmacy technicians face challenges as prescription demands skyrocket. Dispensing errors can cause permanent injury.
Pharmacy Mistakes
There is a growing problem in many pharmacies today. Pharmacies short-staff to save money. But, pharmacy technicians are also under-trained in their duties. The focus is placed on filling the prescription orders as quickly as possible… but to what risk? Pharmacy Times reports pharmacy dispensing errors account for almost 21% of medication errors.
In most situations, a medication error alone isn’t enough to file a lawsuit. Yet, there are cases when an error causes physical harm or death and a lawsuit is justified.
Prescription Medication Mix-ups
A girl by the name of Alyssa Watrous endured scary side effects from a medicine that did not match her prescription. A pharmacy technician gave her the wrong medicine. Alyssa was mistakenly given a blood pressure medicine in place of her asthma medication. This is just one of many cases that led to a disastrous result.
Chemotherapy drugs were supplied to a patient needing antidepressants. Ear drops were mistakenly placed into eyes due to a medication mix-up. These medicine mix-ups continue to happen as pharmacies grow busier and take shortcuts. This leads to errors that hurt people.
Side Effects and Consequences
When a patient takes the wrong medication, the aftermath can be devastating. Side effects include, but are not limited to:
- headache
- nausea
- dizziness
- heart palpitations
- vision loss
- paralysis
- cardiac arrest
- organ failure
- death
Experiencing a medication mix-up can lead to long term issues and loss of life. But, who is to blame? When should you talk to a pharmacy dispensing error lawyer?
Who is Responsible?
As pharmacies understaff, it begs the question: Who is responsible for medication mix-ups? That depends. Ultimately, the responsibility falls on the pharmacy. Pharmacies need procedures in place to catch mistakes with prescriptions to prevent injuries. Additionally, pharmacies have insurance to cover liability for mistakes.
Pharmacy Dispensing Error Lawsuits
There are many lawsuits each year due to medication dispensing errors and injuries. Patients deserve to trust their care providers to give them the correct medicine. Pharmacies are responsible to provide a standard duty of care to patients. When a pharmacy gives you the wrong prescription, talk to a lawyer.
Pharmacy Negligence
Failure to check for errors with prescriptions is a form of negligence. When negligence occurs, there can be life-threatening injuries. Pharmacies are liable for these mistakes. Cutting corners to keep up with prescription demands is unacceptable.
Do I Have An Injury Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one receive the wrong medication and suffer an injury, you may have a claim. Our lawyers at Kane & Silverman will protect your rights after an act of medical negligence. Contact us for a free case evaluation.
If you have a case, we will represent you and fight for the money you deserve. You deserve the highest quality of medical care. Additionally, you deserve compensation if the pharmacy hurts you.
Local Injury Law Firm
We have served Pennsylvania and New Jersey for over 30 years. We protect your rights and punish wrongdoers for their negligence. Call us today for a free legal consultation with one of our trusted attorneys.