U.S healthcare providers fill out approximately 4 billion prescriptions each year, says the World Health Report. Unfortunately, hundreds of patients receive the wrong medicine every day. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that a third of inpatient hospital admissions have relations with medication errors.
Further, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report estimates that about two million U.S. citizens suffer the effects of wrong drug prescriptions annually. 3.5 million outpatient physician visits have links to medication errors. One million U.S. residents seek emergency medical treatment after suffering the adverse effects of faulty medicines.
The Lancet study attributes 7,000 deaths yearly to incorrect prescriptions. A whopping $3.5 billion goes to the mitigation of the treatment errors each year. A pharmacy malpractice attorney can help to claim compensation damages for losing a loved one because of faulty medicine prescription. Also, the pharmacy malpractice attorney can offer legal guidance to the patients who suffer the consequences of the errors committed by healthcare staff.
But how do the medication errors arise? The following are the causes of incorrect prescriptions:
1. The pharmacist dispenses the wrong medicine.
2. Prescribing the incorrect dosage
3. Confusing drugs especially when two drugs sound almost the same.
4. A miscommunication arises between the doctor and pharmacist.
5. The pharmacist misreads the prescription form.
6. The failure to counsel patients on the adverse effects of specific medicines.
7. The clinical officer or pharmacist fails to identify harmful drug interactions or allergies.
Holding Negligent Pharmacists and Doctors Accountable
Medication errors can occur when surgeons use anesthesia incorrectly. Medication overdose constitutes the wrong prescription too. Additionally, to a pharmacy malpractice attorney, prescribing drugs without seeking information about the patients’ medical history or lab tests can amount to medical malpractice. Sometimes, the pharmacist will mix-up prescription or mistakenly switch two patients’ drug prescriptions.
Can You Sue for Getting the Wrong Prescription?
Yes, can help to claim compensation on the grounds below:
The failure-to warn-theory if the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist did not caution the patient on the adverse effects of a drug.
You can file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the hospital or specific doctor when the healthcare officer negligently prescribes the wrong medicine or dosage. It’s important to do your research. First, you must find out if you qualify for a medical malpractice case. Then, you should research the different medical malpractice lawyers near you and find one that seems like a fit for your needs. After finding the lawyer you wish to hire, don’t be afraid to ask them questions about your case, the cost of services, and whatever questions may be on your mind.
Prescription Drugs vs. Product Liability
When you consult a medical malpractice lawyer, you can get advice on whether the drug manufacturer is responsible for selling defectively manufactured medicines or the failure to print adequate warnings.
If you need legal assistance you can also find additional legal aid here and you can search for a lawyer here.