Prescription Errors Can Result In Injury Or Death
Doctors and pharmacists have a duty to accurately prescribe and fill medications in a way that will not cause harm to a patient. When negligent medication administration leads to serious injury or wrongful death, the victims and their families are should be compensated for their medical expenses, suffering and loss. If your family has been effected by one or more prescription errors, call McGraw Law, LLC in Las Cruces, New Mexico, for a free consultation: 575-523-4321.
Types of Medication Errors
Medication errors vary according to who is at fault and the facts of the case. While many are caused by inattentiveness when filing the medication, some are the result of failing to take a complete and accurate medical history. Some of the more common prescription errors include:
- Filling prescriptions incorrectly
- Giving medication to the wrong patient
- Prescribing the wrong dosage or recording the wrong dosage on the prescription label
- Prescribing medication that negatively interacts with a patient’s other prescription medications or to which the patient is allergic
Prescription Drugs Are “Dangerous Drugs”
Prescription drugs are defined by New Mexico statutes as “dangerous drugs” because, based on their potential for harmful effect, they are not safe for use except under the supervision of a physician licensed by law to direct the use of such drugs. State laws and regulations establish the lawful management of dangerous drugs and safety precautions that must be implemented by doctors, hospitals and pharmacies for the proper dispensing of prescription medication to ensure a patient’s health and safety. The Opioid Crisis is an example of a dangerous drug overtaking society and causing more harm than good.
Safety Steps Prevent Pharmacy Errors
There are a number of steps New Mexico pharmacies are required to take to ensure they are safely dispensing prescription medication. Make sure your pharmacist performs a “show and tell” each time you pick up a prescription. This means the pharmacist shows you the medication inside the bottle, and tells you about the medication, how to take it and any potential side effects. If a pharmacist assistant or cashier is assisting you, they are supposed ask you if you have any questions for the pharmacist. If this does not happen, kindly ask your pharmacy to follow these important safety steps. You will be helping make your pharmacy safe for the next person, and our community.
Our Clients Come First
At McGraw Law, LLC, we truly care about our clients and the outcome of their cases. We understand that prescription mistakes can have a serious impact on their lives and their family. Our goal is to obtain compensation that allows our clients to move on from this devastating incident and have a quality future.
We also want to make sure that the pharmacy, hospital or prescribing doctor does not hurt anyone else. With medication error cases, we believe that improving patient safety for clients and the community is the most important goal. One of the ways to accomplish that is by bringing mistakes to the attention of the medical system. There can be very serious consequences and adverse reactions that can result from medication errors and the actions you are taking will help others.
The attorneys at McGraw Law & Associates have successfully represented members of our community who have been injured and killed as a result of prescription medication errors. To speak with one of our lawyers, please call us at 575-523-4321 or contact us online.
