Prescription medication errors | Pharmacist malpractice
Consumers across the United States rely on their pharmacists to dispense the medications ordered for them properly and to act as a safeguard against dangerous drug interactions. Sadly, that trust is broken daily, as studies have shown that there are over 50 million medication errors made each year in the United States, resulting in approximately 7,000 deaths per year.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.
The prescription errors lawyers and pharmacist malpractice attorneys at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. are ready to help the victims of medication errors and their families get to the source of the error and to help them get the compensation they deserve for injuries caused by prescription medication errors.
The Law Offices of
Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
100 W Monroe St.,
Ste 2100
Chicago, IL 60603Phone: 312.263.1080
Fax: 312.263.0153Proudly Serving Many Illinois Cities and Counties, Including:
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Blog for Prescription medication errors | Pharmacist malpractice
Library for Prescription medication errors | Pharmacist malpractice:
- 4 Steps to Protect Your Rights After a Prescription Medication Error
Description: What should you do after a prescription medication error? Here are 4 steps that the experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. recommend you take. - Proecting Your Family Against Prescription Medication Errors [PDF]
Description: Each day, thousands of prescription medication errors occur in pharmacies across the country, some resulting in deaths and serious injuries. Learn 7 steps you can take to protect your family against prescription errors and pharmacist malpractice.
Frequent Questions for Prescription medication errors | Pharmacist malpractice:
- What is the statute of limitations for a case involving a perscription medication error in Illinois?
Case Results for Prescription medication errors | Pharmacist malpractice:
- Prescription medication misfill results in Peoria County settlement
Awarded: $80,000.00
Web Resources for Prescription medication errors | Pharmacist malpractice:
- U.S. Pharmacopeia Drug Error Finder
Description: This helps prevent prescription medication errors by identifying drugs which have similar sounding names to the one you are prescribed as well as drugs which have similar spellings. "Sound alike" and "look alike" medications are two of the most common forms of prescription errors.
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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
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Offices
The Law Office of
Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
100 W Monroe Street
Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312.263.1080
FAX: 312.263.0153