Every year more than 7,000 deaths occur because of prescription errors or “mis-fills,” according to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The U.S. Pharmacopoeia reports that between 1998 and 2003, they received over 360,000 reports of prescription error from US hospitals and doctors’ offices. In 2001, over 2,000 of prescription error occurred in emergency rooms, where prompt and appropriate medical treatment is often the most crucial. If you or a loved one has suffered injury caused by prescription error, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses and suffering.

Why do prescription errors occur?

There are several reasons why prescription errors occur, most of which are preventable. Prescription errors are frequently the result of a doctor, pharmacist, or other medical professional’s negligence or wrongdoing. The following are common reasons why and how prescription errors occur:

• A doctor’s illegible handwriting leads to the administration of the wrong drug.
• A doctor prescribes the wrong medication altogether (studies show this is the cause in 68 percent of all prescription error cases)
• Similarity between drug names may lead to one drug being prescribed or filled instead of another, closely named, drug.
• The wrong dose of a medication is given. This can be particularly dangerous in cases of children, since their bodies are more vulnerable to the effects of medications.
• A drug is administered to the wrong patient.
• Doctors may prescribe a medication to which a person is allergic or has contraindications (specific conditions under which the administration of a treatment has a high likelihood of harming a person)
• Two drugs may be prescribed at the same time that, when mixed, increase the risk of harm to the patient.
• The wrong directions are given to a patient about a medication.
• The right medication is not administered at all.

Prescription errors standards of safety and your legal rights

There are certain safety standards set by the American Pharmaceutical Association and other professional organizations to reduce the risk of prescription errors. These standards are designed to ensure doctors and other medical professionals take care to prescribe and administer the right medication, at the right dose, using the right method, at the right time, to the right patient. If a doctor or pharmacist fails to meet these standards due to negligence or wrongdoing, they may be held liable for any injuries or other losses that ensue.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury or illness due to a prescription error, please contact us to learn about your legal rights and options. You may be able to pursue a medical malpractice claim to seek compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. It is important to know that prescription error cases are subject to a statute of limitations. Please contact us to speak with a qualified Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney to determine the best way to protect and maximize your legal rights.