How Pharmacy Mistakes Harm Patients and Destroy Lives

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Shapiro Law Group

Medical negligence can affect patients inside and outside of hospitals. Pharmacy mistakes are horrific because patients take medications believing it will help alleviate symptoms, but instead suffer frightening or fatal side effects.

There are several reasons why pharmacy mistakes happen. Pills can look identical or have similar sounding names. Doctors are known for having awful handwriting, which can make it difficult for pharmacists to correctly fill orders. Pharmacies are busy places, and pharmacists can sometimes rush through their duties. Whatever the case might be, pharmacists and doctors are responsible for preventing mistakes.

Last summer, the Food and Drug Administration sent out a warning over two similar sounding medications, Brintellix and Brilinta. One is an antidepressant, the other is a blood thinner. These are two medications that should never be confused, as both can have potentially fatal side effects. Blood thinners can lead to brain hemorrhaging, which can be fatal or cause permanent damage. Brintellix can mix with other medications and cause fatal health conditions, such as serotonin syndrome. While these two drugs serve as a good example, there about 1,500 other medications with similar sounding names.

Medication errors can cause tragedies. For example, a 62-year-old woman died after her pharmacist confused Lyrica, a pain medication, with Lamictal, a mood stabilizer. Lamictal can cause suicidal thoughts, especially in high doses. The 62-year-old woman was prescribed an enormous dose of Lamictal. She was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Pharmacy Mistakes Are Preventable Tragedies

People can be harmed and families torn apart by pharmacy mistakes. Don’t let this happen to you. Always double check to ensure your prescriptions are free of errors. One way to do this, is to use www.pillbox.gov, a national database that has pictures, names and other information on prescription drugs. Double-checking information with pharmacists and doctors can also help prevent errors.

Tags: SideEffects

What Our Clients Say

“My dad lost his fingers on one hand due to malpractice after a successful surgery that did not involve fingers. For months we were told it was because of debris in his blood. It was not. Mr. Shapiro and his associates were relentless in getting the medical records until the "missing" page was sent. Then they had the hard and arduous job of finding a doctor willing to testify. An informative video and audio with the doctor's testimony was presented. Case closed. Because of their due diligence, a satisfactory settlement was reached. Mr. Shapiro's law firm worked hard, were extremely thorough, professional, and kept in constant communication throughout the whole stressful ordeal. Mr. Shapiro still remembers my parents and keeps in touch with my mom, even after 15 years have passed. That alone is impressive.”

Patti A.

“The Shapiro Law Group represented our daughter, family, and reputation in winning our daughters case that was due to a catastrophic injury. We interviewed many lawyers and felt Mr. Shapiro would ultimately do what was best for our family. Being involved in a lawsuit is very difficult, emotional, and exhausting. If it weren’t for the Shapiro Law Group fighting for our daughter and family, I don’t know where we would be now. They are very thorough, knowledgeable, and know what needs to be done. Lawsuits can take a very long time, and we knew that Shapiro Law Group would not give up. They did whatever was necessary to help our daughter. We can’t thank Mr. Shapiro enough for all he has done for so many! During a very difficult situation in our lives, the Shapiro Law Group went above and beyond in guiding our family in helping our daughter. We would highly recommend this firm. Thank you,”

Stephanie P.

“Attorney Richard Shapiro was able to provide me with very knowledgeable and competent legal expertise to resolve my case.”

D. Harrison