Report: Drug Dispensing Errors Kill 100,000 Per Year

Prescription drug errors can leave patients with debilitating or life-threatening injuries. In some cases, patients lose their lives when they receive the wrong drugs at their local pharmacies. According to CBS News in Dallas-Fort Worth, who investigated the problem, prescription drug errors are responsible for an estimated 100,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. CBS News pulled its statistics from the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

There are multiple reasons why pharmacies may incorrectly dispense prescription drugs. Poor communication, similar drug names and medications that look alike are causes of medical issues. Patients may receive the incorrect medication or the wrong amount, both of which may lead to adverse outcomes. For instance, patients may overdose if they receive the wrong dosages of their medications.

Some recent medication mistakes were widely publicized by national media outlets. One recent case offers a glimpse into what can happen when pharmacies make drug dispensing errors.

Last year, a 27-year-old woman developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome after receiving the incorrect dosage of Lamictal, a mood-stabilizing drug. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare reaction to medications that can cause the skin to peel off and blister. Patients who develop Stevens-Johnson can suffer from permanent disfigurement. Doctors determined that the woman developed the condition due to the pharmacy dispensing error.

Understanding Compensation for Pharmacy Errors

Pharmacy errors can ruin the lives of patients and their families. While some patients may lose their lives, others may survive with debilitating injuries like in the story described above. Injuries from a medication error could require rehabilitation, corrective procedures and other expensive treatments.

You should always speak with an attorney if you believe a medication error harmed you or a loved one. Depending on the circumstances of your situation, it could be possible to recover compensation for your injuries or loss.

At Regan Zambri Long PLLC, our Washington DC medical error attorneys offer free initial consultations. You could dial (202) 463-3030 or use our online case review form to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.