More than 40,000 prescription or medication errors occur on the NHS each year. Many of these errors cause harm only for a short period. Some can result in serious injury, illness and even death. Mistakes may be made by GPs or hospital doctors writing the wrong prescription or by high street pharmacies in giving out the wrong drugs. Most dispensing errors occur at the chemist although some take place in care homes.
Common prescription error mistakes
Common mistakes include:
- The wrong dose or strength of a drug (sometimes leading to an overdose)
- The wrong drug
- The wrong patient
- Incorrect labels
- Computer error
- Warfarin/Heparin dose errors leading to pulmonary embolism and death
- Drugs being administered intravenously instead of intramuscularly
Children and medication errors
Children are particularly vulnerable to prescription or medical errors. When prescribing or dispensing drugs to a child, it is important to consider their age and weight to determine a safe dosage.
Our approach to prescription error claims
We have recovered awards of compensation in a large number of successful cases where prescription, medication and dispensing errors have caused loss. In particular they have had particularly successful results in a number of claims on behalf of children.
Speak to one of our expert medical negligence solicitors today
Please call 0800 916 9049, email enquiries@slatergordon.co.uk or use the short online enquiry form. Our dedicated medical negligence solicitors will be able to offer you a free initial consultation and advise you on the process for bringing a claim, funding options and time constraints.
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