Errors can happen at any stage during medication
administration, but there are steps you can take to help
prevent them.
Millions of people in the U.S. trust pharmacists with the task of giving them the correct prescribed medications. Pharmacists’ mistakes can have life-threatening consequences, but when can they be held liable for negligence and professional malpractice?
A pharmacist may be responsible for tasks beyond accurately dispensing the medication, depending on their state’s specific laws. These additional tasks may include:
- Warning the patient of potential side effects from the medication
- Screening for medication interactions among multiple prescriptions and possibly contacting the patient’s health care provider to advise them if there may be potential harm
- Reviewing a patient’s medical history
- Offering to discuss the patient’s medication and answer related questions
Pharmacists can make a dangerous medication error in several ways. Deviating from a physician’s instructions – such as dispensing incorrect medication or dispensing the wrong strength of the proper medication – can lead to severe health problems for a patient. Further, if a pharmacist notices a possible medication interaction or serious allergy to a certain medication, the pharmacist has a responsibility to refuse to dispense that medication to the patient. The pharmacist would then be expected to contact the patient’s physician or instruct the patient to see the physician again.
Contact Our Firm for Assistance
Pharmacists have a duty to provide patients with the highest quality care at all times. Pharmacy errors can lead to a patient’s death or permanent injury.
Contact Anapol Weiss for assistance if you were given the wrong medication or were harmed by medical negligence at the hands of a pharmacy. We can investigate your situation and determine if you have a malpractice case.