October is American Pharmacists Month and this is a time to celebrate the achievements of our pharmacists and the level of care that they provide for people. The majority of pharmacists are very conscientious and deliberate medical workers who are only interested in the well-being of their patients. However, as in any profession, there are some who are not so thorough in their job. If you have been injured by the malpractice of a pharmacist, here are important things you need to know.
How can I protect myself in the first place?
First, the easiest way to protect yourself from pharmacy malpractice is with being proactive and paying close attention to your medications. Keep a list of all your medications, the dosages, and frequency that you should take them. You can even download apps that will help you remember and track all of this. When your doctor prescribes a new medication, write down all of this information and special instructions.
Also, make sure that your doctor and pharmacist are aware of all your medications as some medicines will interact negatively with each other. When you pick up your medicine, double-check the labels and make sure that you are getting your pills and the label has the same dosage and name that your doctor prescribed.
What should I do if I am given the wrong medication?
If you take the wrong medicine, the result can be severe and sometimes even fatal. The first thing you should do is seek medical attention for the mistake. Next, alert your physician and the pharmacist and inform them that you think you have been given the wrong medication. Do not throw away any pertinent information, including the pills.
Can I bring a malpractice suit against the doctor or pharmacist?
If you are given the wrong medicine, it may be possible to bring a malpractice suit against the responsible party. That is why it is important to keep all of the information including the pills as these may be used as evidence in the trial. Once you turn this over to a malpractice attorney, he or she will review your case and investigate to determine where the safety checks that should have been in place broke down. There are many points when someone should be able to speak up and say that this is the wrong medication. The attorney will help determine who is actually responsible and who needs to be held accountable.
If you or a loved one have been harmed due to the negligence of a pharmacist or physician who gave you the wrong medication, then you may have a claim for malpractice. The attorneys of Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato are ready to help review your case, investigate the details, and determine if you may be entitled to compensation.