When you visit your medical provider and they write you a prescription, you expect that they know what they are doing. When you pick that prescription up from the pharmacy, you also expect that the pharmacist fills the right prescription. This is not always the case. Prescription drug errors do occur and they can arise from negligence by the medical provider, pharmacist, or even the user.
Here are the top five most common prescription drug errors:
Improper Dosing
You rely on the medical provider to provide you with accurate dosing and use instructions. You also rely on the pharmacist to double-check these dosing requirements. If a medical provider prescribes you the wrong dose of a medication, it can lead to adverse side effects or ineffectiveness of the medication.
Expiration Date Mistakes
Most pharmacies go through prescriptions regularly enough that expiration dates are not relevant. However, some prescriptions may not be utilized as frequently or in low-volume pharmacies, expiration date mistakes can be a problem. While taking medications past their expiration date may not always cause harm, it can reduce the effectiveness of the medication.
Usage Schedule
In addition to dosing, you also rely on your medical team to tell you how often, and when, to take a prescription. Taking a prescription too often without awareness of the side effects can be dangerous. Additionally, not taking medication often enough can reduce its effectiveness.
Issuing the Wrong Medication
If a pharmacist is negligent when filling prescriptions, they may fill your bottle with the wrong medication. This can lead to dangerous side effects and a lack of treatment for the condition in which you first pursued the medication.
Drug Interactions
If you are on multiple medications, drug interactions are a possibility. It is up to your medical provider to monitor prescriptions, as well as over-the-counter supplements for any potential interactions. The pharmacist should also compare any new prescriptions to medications that you are regularly taking. Missing any potential interactions can lead to a dangerous outcome.
What To Do If You Were the Victim of a Prescription Drug Error
Were you the victim of a prescription drug error? You may be eligible for the compensation that you need to recover. A prescription drug error can lead to a good amount of pain and suffering as you deal with side effects. Additionally, it is possible for a medical condition to get worse by missing dosing due to prescription errors.
If you believe that you were the victim of a prescription drug error, it is important to talk with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. It is not always easy to prove a medical mistake, especially when it comes to prescriptions. For this reason, it is important to consider your options soon. Some evidence may only be available for a short period of time.
Additionally, an expert witness familiar with the medical industry may be important to your case, especially when it comes to proving negligence. Choosing the right lawyer can ensure that you have all the resources you need to right a medical provider’s mistake.
Contact A Medical Malpractice Attorney for a Consultation About Your Prescription Mistake Case in New Jersey
Were you or a loved one injured due to medical malpractice in New Jersey? Then you need to talk to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible for guidance on how to proceed. The Cherry Hill medical malpractice attorneys at The Law Offices of Andres, Berger & Tran P.C .are prepared to assist you with your legal claim. We represent victims of negligent surgeons, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists throughout New Jersey, including Cherry Hill, Winslow, Voorhees, and Lindenwold. Call us today at (856) 795-1444 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Our main office is located at 264 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ 08033.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
