|
Related Links: Reducing Your Chances of a Medication Errors When Pharmacy Negligence Causes Permanent Injuries Why Hospital Patients Receive the Wrong Medications |
Most companies rely on processes, procedures, and protocols to keep things operating smoothly and to protect themselves, their employees, and customers. However, sometimes employees take shortcuts or aren’t paying attention to what they are doing, and they fail to follow established protocols. Stakes are high when a pharmacist or pharmacy technician fails to follow the rules—medication mix-ups may occur, causing serious or even deadly consequences.
A Woman Received the Wrong Drug
This is exactly what just happened to one woman who received the wrong medication from a Walmart pharmacy in Hiram, Georgia. Guylene Saint Louis, who suffers from ovarian fibroid tumors, went to get her prescription filled at her local Walmart; however, she unknowingly received someone else’s medication and took the wrong pills.
She brought the pharmacy a new prescription for a narcotic painkiller and showed her ID and insurance card, but somehow she ended up with someone else’s drugs. While it seemed like someone at the pharmacy looked at her name on her insurance card and ID, it appears that protocols were not followed at the pharmacy.
The Medication Error Could Have Been Fatal
According to Saint Louis, she read the label on the prescription bottle when she realized the medication wasn’t helping her feel better. That’s when she realized she was given the wrong drug and that she had been taking potassium chloride, which is used to treat heart disease. As a result, she began vomiting and ended up in the emergency room. Her doctor said this medication error could have been deadly.
After reporting the incident to the Walmart pharmacy, Saint Louis said they told her to bring it back and that they would give her a refund and the correct pills for free. Walmart representatives said they are working with the pharmacy to reinforce their safety measures and training.
Saint Louis would like everyone to be reminded how important it is to look at your medications. Unfortunately, pharmacists make mistakes and can end up giving customers the wrong medications that can put them at risk.
In order to reduce your chance of being harmed by a pharmacy mix-up, we recommend looking at your prescription bottle carefully before taking the medication inside. We also suggest that you share this article on Facebook to help keep your friends safe from a pharmacy error.