The dangers of receiving the wrong medication

Missouri residents should keep an eye on their prescription medication to make sure that they are not given the wrong medication or dosage by a pharmacist. Medication errors can have serious repercussions such as in a 2010 case in which a woman suffered a brain hemorrhage after being given a dosage of blood thinner that was 10 times too high. The woman had to discontinue her chemotherapy for breast cancer as a result and died.

It is important for people to know the name of the medication that they are taking. Electronic prescriptions mean that many people do not have a hard copy of their prescription for comparison, but they can ask the doctor to write down the name of the medication, the dosage and the directions for usage.

Telling the pharmacist what condition the medication is treating can also reduce the likelihood of error. In fact, while it is not always necessary to have a consultation with the pharmacist before taking the prescription, doing so can be a quick way to confirm that the medication is right for the person’s condition. People should also check the bag before leaving the pharmacy to be sure that the patient name matches and the number of pills are correct. Finally, it is important to pay attention to how the medication is working. People should not hesitate to report concerns or errors.

A person who is given the wrong medication and suffers adverse effects as a result may want to consult with an attorney. The error might be considered a case of medical malpractice, and either the doctor or the pharmacist may be responsible for the harm that has been incurred.