A pharmacist goes to college and pharmacy school for eight years, learning about drugs, chemicals, the human body, and other important things, such as drug interactions and contraindications. They must apply for a license as a pharmacist and take an exam, which must be passed with a certain score.
A pharmacy technician goes to school for 12 to 18 months and is taught medical terminology, basic anatomy and physiology, how to read and transcribe a prescription, how to use computer systems in place to help prevent errors, and how to count out pills and label the bottles. They don't fully understand all the ins and outs of medication, or the effects on the body. They may not necessarily know or understand how to check for contraindications between drugs and herbal supplements and even vitamins.
A Florida appeals court upheld a $25.8 million judgment in a lawsuit against Walgreens over an error by a teenage pharmacy technician that resulted in Beth Hippely, a mother of three, receiving blood thinner pills with a dosage ten times greater than prescribed. Hippely suffered a stroke and died before the case went to trial.
Cases like these highlight the fact that chain pharmacies rely heavily on pharmacy technicians to fill prescriptions and consumers are put at huge risk every day because of it. If you or a loved one suffered because of a pharmacy mistake, call our prescription error attorneys to review your case for free. You can also order our free book: How to Make Pharmacies Pay for Injuries Caused by Medication Errors.
A pharmacy technician goes to school for 12 to 18 months and is taught medical terminology, basic anatomy and physiology, how to read and transcribe a prescription, how to use computer systems in place to help prevent errors, and how to count out pills and label the bottles. They don't fully understand all the ins and outs of medication, or the effects on the body. They may not necessarily know or understand how to check for contraindications between drugs and herbal supplements and even vitamins.
A Florida appeals court upheld a $25.8 million judgment in a lawsuit against Walgreens over an error by a teenage pharmacy technician that resulted in Beth Hippely, a mother of three, receiving blood thinner pills with a dosage ten times greater than prescribed. Hippely suffered a stroke and died before the case went to trial.
Cases like these highlight the fact that chain pharmacies rely heavily on pharmacy technicians to fill prescriptions and consumers are put at huge risk every day because of it. If you or a loved one suffered because of a pharmacy mistake, call our prescription error attorneys to review your case for free. You can also order our free book: How to Make Pharmacies Pay for Injuries Caused by Medication Errors.
