THE LAW OFFICES OF
BARRY G. DOYLE, P.C.
100 W MONROE ST.,
STE 2100
CHICAGO, IL 60603
PHONE: 312.263.1080
FAX: 312.263.0153
Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorney
Serving Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, and Surrounding Areas
As the Baby Boomer generation ages and the numbers and kinds of medications available to that aging population grow, the potential for error in the issuance of prescription medications also grows.
A 2002 study by researchers from Auburn University found that 51.5 million errors occur each year in pharmacies providing medication to the general public. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, around 7,000 people die each year from medication errors.
Types of pharmacy error
- Wrong medication
- Wrong strength
- Wrong label information
- Insufficient label information
The negative consequences that could flow from these errors could be fatal, and could include:
- Taking a wrong medication to which you are allergic
- Taking a wrong medication which causes you harm or fails to address the condition you need a medication for
- A damaging or fatal overdose of the medication your doctor ordered
- A damaging or fatal under-dose of the medication your doctor ordered
- A negative drug interaction between this wrong medication and another one you also take
Checking and verifying
Every pharmacy is supposed to have a series of checks in place to prevent errors from occurring. If there is any doubt as to exactly what the doctor prescribed, it is the obligation of the pharmacist to verify the prescription before dispensing the medication to the customer.
Drug utilization reviews (DUR)
Pharmacists are responsible for conducting a DUR and for counseling you in the use of the medication.
The DUR begins by obtaining a patient profile, which includes information regarding:
- Medications you are taking
- Any allergies, illnesses, disabilities, and conditions you suffer from
- Any known reactions to drugs that you've experienced
The pharmacist then evaluates such things as:
- Any potential drug duplications; overuse or underuse of the medication prescribed
- Drug-disease contraindications
- Potential drug interactions
Physician consultation
If the pharmacist determines that there is a risk to the patient if he fills the prescription, he must consult with your doctor. Patients often have more than one doctor treating them for different conditions, so the pharmacist is sometimes the only person who knows all the medications you are taking.
Patient counseling
The pharmacist is required to counsel you in the use of the medication. He should make sure you know what it is, what condition it is intended to treat, and how to take it.
The counseling session represents a final opportunity for the pharmacist to ensure that the proper medication is being dispensed and to try to ensure that it will be used properly.
If you have suffered injury from a pharmacy error, don't delay in consulting with an experienced pharmacy error lawyer. Pharmacy error cases are complex and time-consuming, and you would want to give your attorney as much time as possible to assess the situation, gather information, and proceed with a lawsuit if one proves necessary.
At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C., we can help you through the pain and confusion of a medication error. Contact us today!
Nobody should suffer in silence when a pharmacy error is made at their expense. If you or a loved one have been given a wrong prescription, contact Chicago medical malpractice lawyer Barry Doyle today for your free legal consultation. No recovery, no fee.
