Pharmacy Error Case
Are you getting the right medication? Pharmacy errors can lead to serious injuries. The Law Team can help.
We recently received a call from a client who had gone to the doctor with complaints of stomach pains. The doctor gave her a prescription which she took to her pharmacy. When she returned to pick up her medicine and later took the medicine, her stomach pain became even worse. Fortunately, she called the doctor right away and found out that the pharmacy had made a mistake in filling the prescription and gave her the wrong medicine. This client was extremely lucky since she found out about the improper medication before it could do any serious or permanent damage or harm.
How can you protect yourself and your family from pharmaceutical mistakes? Follow these guidelines whenever you receive a prescription for medication from your doctor.
1. Ask your doctor about the medication. What kind of medicine is it? Is it a pill, a capsule, or a liquid? Is it to be taken orally or applied to the skin? The more you know the better you can protect yourself and your family. Ask the doctor why he or she is giving the medication. How will it make you feel? Should you be concerned about side effects or discomfort from the medication? Be sure to get the name of the medication.
2. Try to always go to the same pharmacy. In today’s world, it seems as if a new mega drugstore opens on every corner. They sell everything from magazines to soda to toys to cosmetics and even prescription medications. There are even pharmacy departments in supermarkets, discount department stores, and warehouse clubs. While each of these pharmacies is capable of filling a prescription, remember that you will rarely get personalized service. My recommendation to all clients is to try and have their prescriptions filled at a neighborhood pharmacy where you may have a familiar relationship with the pharmacist. When you leave the prescription at the pharmacy, or when you leave the doctor’s office, write down the name of the medication. In any event, wherever your prescription is filled, you will be asked to sign a statement that you received the prescription and that you can have counseling relating to the prescription. Counseling is your chance to ask questions. When you go to pick up the medication, ask the pharmacist the name of medication that was given to you. Ask the pharmacist what the medication is used for. That way the pharmacist will have to confirm to you that you’re getting a medication for your problem, not for someone else’s. Check the container of the medication. Be sure your name is on the prescription and not someone else’s. Be sure the medication is in the form the doctor described to you. Pharmacies can make mistakes. They can give you a cream when you are supposed to be taking a pill. That way you will know whether or not you are getting the right type of medicine. If the pharmacy gives you a “generic” medicine instead of the brand name prescribed by the doctor, have the pharmacist tell you exactly what the difference is and be sure both medicines treat the same problem. Go over with the pharmacist exactly how the medicine is to be taken, the frequency of taking or applying the medicine, and what side effects you may expect.
3. When you take the medicine, be aware of any changes in your condition. If you feel worse after taking the medicine, contact your doctor. Describe your problems to the doctor and let the doctor determine what action to take.
If you are given the wrong medication by a pharmacy, and suffer problems as a result, do not simply return the medicine to the pharmacy. If you have serious problems resulting from a medication error, you will be giving up valuable evidence.
If you have problems from a medication error, please feel free to call us, we will be happy to assist you and advise whether or not our services may be necessary and how you can best protect yourself and your loved ones.
Contact Fetterman & Associates today at 1-866-865-1244 for information regarding your legal rights as an accident victim in Palm Beach County, St. Lucie County or Martin County.
Fetterman & Associates handle prescription drug error cases that occurred in Palm Beach County, St. Lucie County, Martin County, West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Fort Pierce, Stuart, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, Lantana, Greenacres, Palm Springs, Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Tequesta, Jensen Beach, Riviera Beach, Belle Glade, Clewiston, Pahokee, Lake Park, Juno Beach, Palm City, Hobe Sound, Hypoluxo, Hutchinson Island and LaBelle.
