Hospital negligence: incorrect medication

When a medical professional prescribes medication, you (quite rightly) take it for granted that taking the medication will be in your best interest and will improve your condition. However, human error can occur at any stage during the clinical process, and taking the wrong medication or wrong dosage can lead to serious side effects. You may be entitled to compensation relating to medication errors if you suffer avoidable harm as a result.

Common examples of medication errors are as follows:

Misdiagnosis

A health professional may arrive at an incorrect diagnosis, and this can lead to medication being prescribed which is not required and totally ineffective at treating the actual underlying condition.

Incorrect prescription

A health professional may arrive at the correct diagnosis but may prescribe the incorrect medication for that particular condition.

Incorrect dosage

A health professional may prescribe the correct medication but may make an error in relation to the dosage (i.e. prescribe too little or too much of the medication).

Medication review

A health professional may fail to carry out regular review of a patient’s medication and continue to offer a repeat prescription over many years.

Dispensing error

A chemist or pharmacist may dispense the correct medication but the incorrect amount (dosage). They may also get mixed up between patients and hand over another person’s medication.

Anaesthetic/Injection error

A patient may be administered too little or too much anaesthetic during a surgical procedure. Also, during a routine injection a patient may receive the wrong medication or dosage.

 

Thankfully, most of the time, these errors are rectified before any harm is caused to the pateint. However, when mistakes are not noticed and a patient receives incorrect medication, the consequences can be serious. Avoidable harm resulting from medication errors include:

• Suffering the side effects associated with the incorrect medication.
• Overdosing on medication.
• Worsening of the existing condition.
• Addiction to the medication.
• Allergic reaction.
• Psychological trauma.

A Real-Life Example

One recent case involved Mr N, who sought medical help after experiencing redness and soreness following the removal of a skin tag. His GP prescribed Aciclovir, an antiviral medication. However, when Mr N collected his prescription, the pharmacist dispensed the wrong drug — Donepezil, typically prescribed for dementia in Alzheimer’s disease.

Unaware of the error, Mr N followed the instructions and took the medication up to five times daily. Within days, he became unwell, experiencing nausea, dizziness, headaches, mood disturbances, and a decline in his cognitive ability — symptoms that began affecting his work.

The error was eventually identified when Mr N attended the Emergency Department, and once the correct medication was prescribed, his infection began to improve.

With the help of Aston Knight Solicitors, Mr N pursued a claim. After initial low offers were rejected and further medical evidence was obtained, negotiations led to a settlement of £2,000 for the harm he suffered.

Comment from Senior Solicitor Andrew Thompson:

“Mr N’s case highlights the very real risks of dispensing errors and the importance of accountability within the healthcare system. While many such errors are caught in time, when they are not, the consequences can be severe — not just medically but also psychologically and professionally. This case demonstrates that even where symptoms improve once the correct treatment is administered, patients are entitled to seek redress for the avoidable suffering endured. At Aston Knight Solicitors, we are committed to ensuring that clients receive fair compensation and that lessons are learned to prevent similar errors from recurring.”

How We Can Help

At Aston Knight Solicitors, we understand the distress caused by such errors. If you or a loved one has experienced avoidable harm due to incorrect medication, our specialist team can advise whether you have a viable claim.

Call us today on 0161 399 1231 or click the ‘Contact’ button above to submit an online enquiry. One of our dedicated Solicitors will be in touch to discuss your case.