Don't Be a Victim of Pharmacy Errors

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Every year in the U.S., 30 million dispensing errors occur at outpatient pharmacies, out of 3 billion prescriptions, according to the National Patient Safety Foundation. Some errors are minor and caught easily by patients. But others can be serious.

More healthcare treatment occurs outside hospitals these days, which puts a greater burden on outpatient pharmacists. Experts say there are ways to avoid becoming a victim:

  • Avoid filling a prescription at the beginning of the month. Research shows that in the first few days of each month, fatalities due to drug errors rise by as much as 25 percent above normal. The reason: Social Security checks come at the beginning of the month; pharmacists get swamped and make more mistakes.
  • Open the bottle at the pharmacy. While pharmacy errors aren't common, there are things patients can do to make sure the medicine inside a bottle is the right drug. Opening the bottle onsite and showing the pills to the pharmacist is one safeguard. Another: If it looks different than the medicine you've taken before, or you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask the pharmacist.
  • Don't be in a rush. Take the time to get detailed instructions about how to take a drug. Errors happen not just when the wrong medicine is dispensed, but when the right medicine is taken at the wrong dosage.

Source: National Patient Safety Foundation; Institute for Safe Medication Practices; American Pharmacists Association

 

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