When the Pharmacy is Wrong
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When we get our prescription drugs filled, we trust that the staff behind the pharmacy counter are accurately filling the prescription as ordered. At times, prescriptions are not received for 24 hours until after they are dropped off — which means that the patient might not remember exactly what the doctor said in regards to usage instructions. When the Pharmacist is wrong — our last line of defense is gone.
A 3-month-old was sickened after overdosing on prescription medication due to a dosage error made by a pharmacy, Orlando’s Local6.com is reporting.
John and Sharon Ruddell had a prescription filled at a Palm Coast Walgreens store for one of their twin infant daughters, Leah, who had contracted a sinus infection.
But after taking her first dose, she became unresponsive, according to her parents. (FoxNews)
The label printed a dose that was six times the prescribed amount. Surely such a mistake could have been fatal to the young baby — if the parents had not realized something was wrong. Although, the Pharmacist did catch his error, and fix it — however it could have been too late.
It is good that the hospital was able to prevent any longterm damage.
Justin
4 Comments
the oracle
June 12th, 2008
at 1:18am
You’re way too young to remember some of George Carlin’s early routines - if you ever get a chance to hear the stuff from an album called AM & FM take the opportunity.
That to say this - George talks about the pharmacist, and how ‘he’s experimenting with something!’ … then the bit ends with ‘Ever notice that no matter how slow, they can never fill the prescription right away? The pharmacist could be heard saying (under his breath) Better come back in an hour man, right now I can’t even read the bastard!
Funny, and often true - the level of stupidity in the pharmacological profession can never be overestimated.
webpenguin
June 12th, 2008
at 5:09am
My teen daughter was prescribed Lamisil for the little yellow monsters under her toenails - you know, that fungus. Instead she was given Lamactyl, the anti-psychotic prescribed for bipolar disorder. It’s also given for seizure control and migraines. We thought it was just the generic drug name until she started having serious side effects and looked up the drug. She’s OK now but it took awhile and it was very scary. Be careful.
Keith
June 12th, 2008
at 5:52am
As a pharmacist for 32 years, I’m a little offended by The Oracle’s remark that all pharmacists are stupid. I don’t think anyone that can make it through 6 years of college can be called stupid.
A lot of errors could be eliminated if doctors would electronically transmit their prescriptions, so that their often horrible handwriting could be bypassed.
There are all levels of ability in every profession, but in the medical profession, there is just no room for errors.
Ben
July 27th, 2008
at 9:48am
The worst pharmacy ever? Walgreens in Palm Coast, RT 100 & Belle Terre. They ignore you, make you wait, and are rude. Use Winn Dixie or CVS. Both far better stores.