Pharmacy Malpractice
Pharmacies and pharmacists commit malpractice most commonly by dispensing the wrong medication, dispensing incorrect dosages of the right medication, or dispensing medications in a combination that is unsafe under the circumstances. Pharmacists also commit malpractice by failing to recognize prescriptions negligently written by doctors. Any of these errors can result in catastrophic injury or death.
A pharmacy will dispense paper work with prescriptions designed to inform patients and family members about the medication being dispensed, the strength of the pills, capsules or liquid medicine, the dosage schedule, and potential for harmful effects and dangerous interactions with other medications. Although pharmacies and pharmacists attempt to use such documents in defense of a malpractice case, it is never enough to provide such documents if a prescription had never been dispensed in the first place. Here are some examples of pharmacy malpractice:
A woman taking Coumadin had her dose doubled by her doctor, meaning that instead of one pill she should take two. The pharmacy misinterpreted the instructions and dispensed pills double in size, writing on the bottle to take two pills instead of one. This meant that the woman’s Coumadin was quadrupled. Worsening the problem, the doctor did not properly monitor the blood level of anticoagulation. The woman died from a brain hemorrhage as a direct result of a Coumadin overdose.
A woman in her 60s had a history of a seizure disorder. She was on anti-seizure medication, and had not had a seizure in many years. The pharmacist had dispensed the wrong medication, not intended to prevent seizures. Within a week, the woman had a grand mal seizure and suffered complications. The pharmacy and the pharmacist were sued.
A middle-aged man who had chronic back pain became addicted narcotic pain medication. The man’s doctor continued to prescribe ever-increasing dosages of narcotics. The pharmacist continued to fill these prescriptions. Neither the doctor nor the pharmacist recognized that even with higher dosages, the man was obtaining refills more frequently than if he were taking the prescribed number of pills. Finally, he was found by his wife one morning having died during his sleep from a narcotic overdose. The doctor, the pharmacist and the pharmacy were sued. .
In consultation with pharmacists, physicians, and other professionals, the Sweeney Law Firm will analyze pharmacy, medical and additional records to determine if malpractice occurred. If so, the Sweeney Law Firm may be able to recover money damages to help pay for medical expresses, rehabilitation expenses, lost income and other expenses, as well as compensate you and your family for the emotional and physical pain and suffering and other damages which may result in these cases.
Call the Sweeney Law Firm at 260-420-3137 or toll free at 1-866-793-6339. Get answers to your questions. Learn your legal rights. There is no cost or obligation for us to evaluate your case.