PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

According to the Institute of Medicine, at least 1.5 million Americans are sickened, injured or killed each year by errors in prescribing, dispensing and taking medications. It is estimated that as many as 7,000 deaths occur annually in the United States from incorrect prescriptions. The problem is getting worse as the annual number of prescriptions dispensed increases. While prescription drug dispensing errors can occur at all types of practice settings, retail chain drug stores and prescription mail-order houses have been responsible for the majority of the prescription drug dispensing errors causing serious personal injuries and morbidity in the U.S.

Errors at retail chain drug stores and mail order facilities can occur for many reasons including when:

		The wrong drug is dispensed
		The wrong dosage of the correct drug is dispensed
		The wrong instructions are typed on the prescription label (causing the patient to take either an increased dosage or a lower dosage [a sub-therapeutic level] of the correct drug)
		The pharmacy fails to take into account drug-drug interactions
		The pharmacy is too busy to consult the patient regarding proper drug usage

If you or a loved one has fallen victim to negligence committed by a retail chain drug store or a pharmacy mail-order house, you are encouraged to contact the MARCARIAN LAW FIRM for an absolutely free and confidential consultation. With his education, training, and experience as an attorney and a pharmacist, Mr. Marcarian can help you or your loved one get compensation. Call us at (800) 924-DRUG or (818) 995-8787 without obligation.

How can errors happen at a pharmacy? Aren't pharmacists supposed to be trained, licensed professionals?

Most prescription drug related errors occurring at retail chain drug stores and mail-order houses occur because these operations are generally understaffed and their employees are over worked . . . a potentially deadly combination! These operations place their economic welfare above your interests by not hiring enough pharmacists and other trained employees.  

Prescription drug errors also can occur because similar drug names can cause confusion.  There are between 1,500 to 2,000 drugs with similar names.  Some examples of similar sounding drug names are: Zantac (for acid reflux) and Xanax (for anxiety).

Here are some valuable tips to protect yourself and your loved ones:

		Unless you absolutely must . . . avoid getting your prescriptions filled at retail chain drug stores or by mail-order pharmacies (Do the members of your state legislature and their families or members of Congress and their families get their prescriptions filled at chain drug stores or mail-order facilities?)
		Get your prescriptions filled by your local friendly community pharmacist where the pharmacist can spend the time to talk to you and consult you regarding your medications
		Try to avoid having your prescription called in over the phone
		ALWAYS check your pills and ask questions from your local community pharmacist and your doctors regarding your medications