| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Prescription Errors

Caution: OTC Pain Relievers Sometimes Mix Poorly with Other Meds – Pharmacy Errors

Here is an all-too-common scenario in the world today: A healthy person does to the doctor for a check-up and the doctor finds his or her pharmacy errorsblood pressure is a little high, so a medication is prescribed. The person then goes to a dermatologist for a rash and another medication is recommended. Then the patient is prescribed an antibiotic after a dental procedure, and so on. The patient tells the pharmacist about all three meds but doesn’t mention the 6 to 10 ibuprofen capsules taken every day because of a sore back. This is a prescription for danger.

It’s a pharmacist’s responsibility to check what other meds a patient is taking by looking what else is in the computer, and certainly your physician should be aware of all medications you are taking. They should also know if you are taking over-the-counter pain relievers, especially if you take more than recommended on the label.

Coumadin is a common blood-thinner prescribed often, but it should never be taken at the same time as aspirin. This has been a fatal combination in many cases, and ibuprofen is also not to be taken with the drug, also known as warfarin. Supplements are another yellow flag for people taking prescription medications. Because the ingredients in supplements are not always apparent, it’s best to do some research before taking them at the same time as prescribed medication.

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| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Prescription Errors | , , , ,

When are Pharmacy Errors Considered Malpractice?

Alexander Pope, an 18th century English poet, said “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” That may be true, but it’s difficult to forgive someone when their error causes serious damage.

pharmacy errorsIn the healthcare industry, human error has become one of the leading causes of death, and people in hospitals now refer to serious mistakes as “nevers” which means they are never supposed to happen. There are lots of checks and balances, and yet people are still harmed and killed by “nevers.”

With prescription medications, these mistakes can happen in the hospital, in your doctor’s office, and in your local pharmacy. When does a “never” mistake become malpractice? Malpractice is defined as improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment, especially by a medical practitioner, lawyer, or public official. These are people who are held to a higher standard by the legal system due to their level of education, training, and the vital nature of their work. If you order a steak medium-rare but they cook it until it’s black, that’s not malpractice. Just a mistake.

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