Updated June 09, 2015.
Pharmacy errors may have serious consequences. Many pharmacy errors go unreported because they remain undetected or cause no obvious harm. Potential problems make it imperative for people taking prescription drugs to always check the medication they receive. Though pharmacy errors are unlikely occurrences, they do happen. A watchful eye can help rectify the mistake quickly.
It has happened to me. My internist gave me samples of a high blood pressure medicine and also a prescription for the medication. I was unfamiliar with the drug, unlike many of the arthritis medications I take daily. I filled the prescription after I had used all of the samples. The prescription I picked up from my pharmacy appeared to be the same color (though I later determined there was a slight variation) and the shape of the pill seemed exactly like the samples I had been taking. I neglected to compare the imprint on the pill because I did not suspect any error had occurred in dispensing the medication.
Nearly a month later, it was time to get another refill and at that time I noticed the slight variation between the pills. Though they were the same shape and had nearly undetectable color variation, the number imprinted on the pills were two digits apart. I could have called the pharmacy and inquired but decided to do my own research on the Internet.
I typed in the name of the medication and the number imprinted on the pills. I determined that the previous month I had been given the wrong strength of the medication. I was lucky. The error did not cause any harm.
A 79-year-old man was given the wrong medication causing him to slip into a coma a day later and die 22 months later. His family has been awarded $31 million, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. In this case, a pharmacist admitted to drug addiction and stealing OxyContin and hydrocodone from the pharmacy for 8 years. Jurors reportedly believed the pharmacist was under the influence the day he dispensed an insulin pill rather than a gout pill to the man who died. Ironically, during the trial, a family member of one of the jurors also experienced a pharmacy error but the error was caught without incident.
The consequences of pharmacy errors can range from harmless to fatal. Certain actions can help people who take prescription drugs ensure their own safety.
Know the drug name, dosage, and prescribing instructions for every prescription medication you are filling at the pharmacy. Keep a record of this information by writing it down, keeping a medication diary on your computer, or photocopying the prescription. When you pick up your prescription from the pharmacy, compare the label on the prescription bottle to the information you have recorded for the drug. If you are picking up the drug for the first time, search on the Internet for the name of the drug and information imprinted on the pill. The photo of the medication online should match the medication you have in your possession. If you are picking up a refill, compare the pills in the new bottle to any remaining in the previous bottle. Look at the color, shape, and imprint on both sides on the pills (name of manufacturer and number). The new and old pills should be identical. Generic medications come in various shapes and colors because they have more than one manufacturer. It is still possible to check. If Drug IDentifier does not produce the desired results, search Google. Don't assume everything is without problem until you actually check. The hassle it takes to be sure you were dispensed the correct medication is minimal and may save you from much greater hassles. It may save your life. How to Avoid Medication Errors How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medication How to Reduce the Risks of Using Arthritis Medicines Arthritis Medication Side Effects - What You Should Know Arthritis Medications - Test Your Knowledge
Source: Chicago Sun-Times 9/30/2006, Mixup Costs Walgreens $31 million, by Steve Patterson, <www.suntimes.com/news/metro/78254,CST-NWS-walgreens30.article>
Some Pharmacy Errors Can Cause Harm
Pharmacy errors may have serious consequences. Many pharmacy errors go unreported because they remain undetected or cause no obvious harm. Potential problems make it imperative for people taking prescription drugs to always check the medication they receive. Though pharmacy errors are unlikely occurrences, they do happen. A watchful eye can help rectify the mistake quickly.
My Experience with a Pharmacy Error
It has happened to me. My internist gave me samples of a high blood pressure medicine and also a prescription for the medication. I was unfamiliar with the drug, unlike many of the arthritis medications I take daily. I filled the prescription after I had used all of the samples. The prescription I picked up from my pharmacy appeared to be the same color (though I later determined there was a slight variation) and the shape of the pill seemed exactly like the samples I had been taking. I neglected to compare the imprint on the pill because I did not suspect any error had occurred in dispensing the medication.
Nearly a month later, it was time to get another refill and at that time I noticed the slight variation between the pills. Though they were the same shape and had nearly undetectable color variation, the number imprinted on the pills were two digits apart. I could have called the pharmacy and inquired but decided to do my own research on the Internet.
I typed in the name of the medication and the number imprinted on the pills. I determined that the previous month I had been given the wrong strength of the medication. I was lucky. The error did not cause any harm.
A Fatal Consequence
A 79-year-old man was given the wrong medication causing him to slip into a coma a day later and die 22 months later. His family has been awarded $31 million, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. In this case, a pharmacist admitted to drug addiction and stealing OxyContin and hydrocodone from the pharmacy for 8 years. Jurors reportedly believed the pharmacist was under the influence the day he dispensed an insulin pill rather than a gout pill to the man who died. Ironically, during the trial, a family member of one of the jurors also experienced a pharmacy error but the error was caught without incident.
Tips for Spotting Pharmacy Errors
The consequences of pharmacy errors can range from harmless to fatal. Certain actions can help people who take prescription drugs ensure their own safety.
Related Resources
Source: Chicago Sun-Times 9/30/2006, Mixup Costs Walgreens $31 million, by Steve Patterson, <www.suntimes.com/news/metro/78254,CST-NWS-walgreens30.article>