Errors in prescribing, dispensing or administering drugs or medicine
Prescribing, dispensing or administering the correct type and quantity of drugs or medicine is, of course, extremely important and where mistakes are made the effects can be extremely dangerous and damaging to the patient’s future well being.
With so many drugs being handled each day it’s not surprising that sometimes mistakes happen. Whether it is a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, GP or care home involved in the prescribing or administering, all are at risk of making errors.
From prescribing the wrong drug, the wrong strength, dose, quantity or frequency, to prescribing a drug that reacts adversely to other medication the patient takes, all can affect a patient’s recovery from illness or even their long-term health.
In some cases, for example, a GP may spell the drug incorrectly on a prescription or a pharmacist or chemist may simply not interpret the prescription correctly. They may mistake the packaging of one drug with another or even mistake one patient with another. All could lead to the wrong drug being prescribed. Worse still, where repeat prescriptions are provided, the mistakes can be repeated again and again over time.
The result is that despite many people thinking that their condition has worsened it is actually their medication that is adversely affecting their health. In some cases this could lead to a severe adverse reaction, actual physical injury from overdose or even addiction to certain medications. In some cases it could cause death.
In cases, where there has been suffering as a result of errors made in prescribing, dispensing or administering drugs or medicine, there may be a claim for clinical negligence and that’s where our solicitors can help. The law can help you find out what happened and why, and in some cases recover compensation for your suffering.
Contact us for further information.