Pharmacy Errors Attorneys

Serving Kansas City, Independence, Blue Springs & Lee’s Summit

Pharmacy-Errors-imagePharmacists play an essential role in protecting patient health. When a prescription is called in to a pharmacist, the pharmacist must fill that prescription by providing the correct medication in the correct dose. The pharmacist must also explain to the patient how to take the medication. In many cases, the pharmacist is also expected to check for potentially harmful drug interactions.

When a pharmacist fails to fulfill the duty owed to a patient, that pharmacist should be held accountable, and his or her victims should be fully and fairly compensated.

At the Horn Law Firm, P.C., we have many years of experience in representing medical malpractice victims and their families, including those who have been harmed by pharmacy errors.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a careless mistake made by a pharmacist, contact us today by phone or online to schedule a free consultation and investigation of your case. We can evaluate what occurred and help you to understand your legal options for seeking compensation for any losses you have suffered.

Types of Pharmacy Errors

The role of pharmacists has changed in recent years. Today, pharmacies provide more than medication. They may also offer blood-pressure or blood-glucose monitoring, cholesterol testing and vaccinations.

Compounding pharmacies, where medications are mixed to create specific doses of a drug, have also changed their role dramatically. Instead of simply providing a drug designed for a specific patient based on an individual prescription, these pharmacies now produce drugs on a massive scale. Unfortunately, a tragic national outbreak of meningitis in 2012 sent thousands of contaminated drugs throughout the United States from one of these compounding pharmacies.

The changing responsibilities of pharmacists and the massive increase in the number of drugs and medications available over the past several decades has created a situation where there is a greater risk to patients of a pharmacist or pharmacy making a dangerous error.

At the Horn Law Firm, we have seen the following emerge as common pharmacy errors:

  • Poor communication – Doctors who prescribe medications often have little or no direct contact with pharmacists who fill the prescriptions.  When physicians are not clear about what the patient needs, or when pharmacists fail to address concerns or issues with doctors, the patient can suffer as a result.
  • Misinterpreted handwriting – While computerized systems could help to solve this issue, only around 12 percent of hospitals currently use computer tools and technology in the prescription of drugs.
  • Drug labeling confusion – Drug labeling and packaging can lead to a patient taking drugs in dangerous doses or more frequently than is safe.
  • Lack of employee knowledge – Pharmacists are expected to be reasonably competent in understanding the medications they are prescribing and in filling prescriptions for patients. Unfortunately, not all pharmacists have or use the knowledge that is required to keep patients safe from dangerous drug interactions or overdoses.
  • Lack of patient understanding – Pharmacists need to answer patient questions and provide information on how medications should be taken.

Other problems can include pharmacists failing to check for drug interactions or simply filling prescriptions wrongly by providing the wrong drug or the wrong dose.

A Missouri Pharmacy Error Lawyer Can Help You

If you or a loved one was injured as a result of a mistake made by a pharmacy or pharmacist, you have the right to take action. Not only can you file a claim for medical negligence against the pharmacist but you may also be able to obtain compensation from the hospital, clinic or pharmacy that employs the pharmacist.

At the Horn Law Firm, P.C., we understand how much is at stake when a pharmacist or healthcare provider hurts you. We take a rapid approach to responding to cases. We can begin our investigation immediately to gather the evidence you need. We also have a network of medical professionals who can help with your claim. We understand how to evaluate medical records and present a strong case in a way that a judge or jury can understand.

Whether your claim is resolved through an out-of-court settlement negotiation or by proving your medical negligence case at trial, we will be by your side to guide you through the process. Our goal is to obtain compensation for you for all of your medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress and/or for the wrongful death of your loved one. We have a long track record of recovering large damage awards for our clients both in court and in out-of-court settlements.

To learn more about how we can take action on your behalf and to schedule a free evaluation of your medical negligence claim against a pharmacist or pharmacy, give us a call or contact us online today.