Incorrect dispensing and prescription errors can arise in a variety of circumstances. Regardless of the best intentions of the pharmacy and GP staff, lapses in judgement, human error and negligence continue to occur.
One of the most common examples which often results in a claim for prescription error compensation include instances in which the wrong type of drug is dispensed to the patient. However, there are also situations in which the right drugs are dispensed but are received by the wrong patient.
Being prescribed a different strength or dosage than was prescribed or intended to be prescribed by the GP to treat the issue may also justify making a claim. Dosages that are too high bring along the possibility of avoidable reactions, side effects and overdosing. On the other hand, dosages that are too low could mean that the drugs are not strong enough to treat the injury or illness effectively.
Slow release drugs that are wrongly prescribed can also have serious consequences and may result in compensation being appropriate. If a patient has been prescribed a slow release drug accidentally, then this could result in their ailment or medical issue getting much worse.
Technical errors frequently cause the wrong medication to be prescribed. However, errors may also be caused by pharmacy staff themselves. This is often due to issues relating to the printing process used by the vast majority of GP practices.
Prescription errors involving children are especially serious due to the potential they have to cause adverse damage to their developing bodies and minds. This makes children particularly vulnerable to medication errors. When prescribing to children, extra consideration should be taken to determine the safest dosage for their precise age and weight.