What Are the Most Common Types of Pharmacy Error or Negligence?

You might think that there are lots of checks and balances in place in pharmacies to prevent errors in medication dosage and other problems from slipping through the cracks. While this is true, you would be surprised at the high number of instances each year where pharmacy negligence causes harm to patients.

If you have been harmed due to pharmacy error or negligence, you might be wondering what the most common kinds of pharmacy negligence or harm that can happen to patients are. There are four basic kinds of pharmacy negligence that can injure the people who get their prescriptions from a pharmacy location. Each kind might be handled differently if you decide to seek compensation for your medical bills and your pain and suffering.

Incorrect Drug

In this kind of pharmacy negligence, the pharmacy dispenses the wrong medication to you. Many different kinds of pills look alike and you might not be able to tell that the medication that you have been given is not the correct one. 

Pharmacists label things carefully and check the manufacturer’s markings on the actual pills themselves, but if they are distracted or make an error in reading the request that is sent over to them, they can actually give out the wrong drug altogether. This kind of mistake can lead to illness or death.

Missing Instructions

Sometimes the label on the bottle that is given to a patient is not complete or the instructions that are given to a patient are not correct. Many medications require specific care when taking them for them to function properly.

If a patient does not know how many pills to take or have been advised incorrectly about dosing, they could become sick or they could even die. This part of the pharmacist’s job is essential for patient health.

Wrong Dosage

In some cases, the right pills are dispensed but the wrong dosage is given to the patient. In the case of medications like heart medications, this can be fatal to the patient. 

This error can happen for many reasons, from a miscommunication that started at the doctor’s office, to an error made by the person filling the medication. This is a serious mistake that can cause lasting effects to a person’s health.

Lack of Drug Advice

The pharmacist must always offer advice about possible side effects, drug interactions, and dosage to a patient when they get a medication. If a person is not offered this guidance, they could suffer serious harm.

A pharmacist must verify that you understand the dosage and the other potential risks of taking a new medication before they give it to you.

Pharmacy Negligence is Dangerous

If you feel that you have been harmed by pharmacy malpractice, you need to secure legal guidance right away. Picking the right legal team can make all the difference when you seek compensation for your pain and suffering that has been caused by pharmacy negligence. Contact us today and see how we can help get you the compensation that you deserve.