Prescription Mistake Lawyers: Preventing Medication Mix-Ups

By Carl Saiontz
Posted August 17, 2009

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The medical malpractice lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential claims for prescription mistakes and medication mix-ups throughout the United States. When a doctor writes the wrong prescription, a pharmacy fills the wrong drug or a nurse dispenses the wrong medication to a patient it can have devastating consequences, and these problems can be prevented if the proper standard of medical care is followed.

>>INFORMATION: Prescription Mistake Lawsuits

A recent ABC News story on medication provided some valuable information on how consumers can help protect themselves from potentially dangerous prescription mistakes.

The report points out that there are more medications on the market than ever before, and many of those medications have similar names. The article also points out that pharmacists are filling twice the amount of prescriptions than in previous years, doctors are notorious for their handwriting, and pharmacy error could also occur because a pharmacist misunderstood a phoned in prescription.

Some of the suggested tips from the article include:

• Know the size, shape, color and strength of any pills you take routinely.
• If you are trying a new medication, ask your doctor for a sample or ask to see a picture of the drug in the Physician’s Desk Reference. You can also go to the Physician’s Desk Reference Web site at www.pdr.net.
• Many doctors now write prescriptions on a computer. If not, be sure your doctor writes neatly and ask him to identify the drug by both the generic and the brand name.
• Also ask your doctor what the medication is most commonly used for, how to take it and what the side effects are.
• Then ask the pharmacist those same questions and make sure the explanations match.
• Finally, note the strength and instructions your doctor had in mind and make sure the pharmacist fills the order as intended.
• If you are the victim of a medication mix-up, file a formal complaint with your state’s board of pharmacy.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS

If you, a friend or family member have suffered a severe injury as a result of a medication mix-up, the prescription mistake lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. can investigate what went wrong and help determine if financial compensation may be available. All cases are investigated and reviewed on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained. To review a potential claim for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and medical malpractice claim evaluation.