It’s every pharmacist’s worst fear: To come home from a busy day at work and realize that they failed to consult with a patient about a potentially dangerous interaction, or filled a prescription incorrectly.
Workers at chain pharmacies across the US have told CNN that increased demand for prescriptions, shots and other services without sufficient staff to fulfill those orders has made it nearly impossible for the workers to do their jobs properly and has created potentially unsafe conditions for customers.
Mistakes happen, especially when workers are burnt out and busy. But when a pharmacist errs, the implications can be both legal – pharmacists can be sued for malpractice – and lethal. Errors can cost lives, tie pharmacists up in prolonged court battles and cost them their livelihoods.
When I was about 8, because of my doctor’s handwriting, I was dispensed an antipsychotic (clozapine possibly), instead of what was supposed to be ceterizine. I was lucky my Mum thought something was wrong and took it back and queried it.
I just remember thinking all the warning signs on the box were cool.