Medication and Prescription Drug Errors

Medication error is a form of medical negligence that has the potential to cause serious injury or even death. Prescription errors often form the basis of medical malpractice claims. Although the safety and effectiveness of new prescription drugs have received a lot of media attention in the last few years, prescription errors and improper medication have always been important medical concerns.

Serious reactions, drug-drug interactions, and simple medication mistakes involving prescription drugs are often the result of negligence on behalf of healthcare providers and/or pharmacies. Certain medications reduce or eliminate the beneficial effects of other drugs. Certain medications increase, sometimes to lethal or toxic levels, the effects of other drugs.

Prescription errors can result from a number of different factors including but not limited to:

• Doctor errors
• Nursing errors
• Illegible handwriting
• Incorrect dosage
• Allergic reactions
• Pharmacist errors
• Missed dangerous drug interaction alerts

Healthcare providers have set up certain safeguards to try and ensure that prescription errors are limited. Some software and computer programs alert pharmacists and doctors to dangerous drug interactions. Hospitals have adopted procedures to help patients receive the right drug in the correct dosage. Despite all of the safeguards put in place, medication mistakes still occur.

Medication Error Cases Involve

• Defective drugs
• Wrong medication
• Incorrect dosage/Instructions
• Allergic reactions
• Illegible prescriptions

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a medication error call our Louisville office at (502) 242-8877 or fill out of contact form to schedule a free consultation with a Kentucky medication error lawyer.

There are statutes of limitations that define the time period by which one must file a medical malpractice case or prescription error claim. Do not delay in finding a medical malpractice lawyer to provide legal advice.