Prescribed the wrong medication – Can I bring a claim?
Medical professionals in the UK are exceptionally trained and, in most instances, accurately prescribe medication for patients. However, errors can occur, and the repercussions may be dire; in certain cases, an incorrect prescription can even lead to fatal outcomes.
Once a medical condition or illness is diagnosed, it is essential to ensure the right medication is prescribed and dispensed to the patient. However, thousands of patients each year are mistakenly prescribed or given the wrong medication. Taking the wrong medication through no fault of your own can lead to quite serious side effects. Some of them can be short-term, but others can lead to significant complications and therefore you may be able to make a compensation claim.
Aston Knight Solicitors recently represented a client who faced a troubling situation after being prescribed the oral antiviral medication, Aciclovir, by his GP for a viral infection. Unfortunately, the pharmacist mistakenly provided him with Donepezil, a cholinergic drug intended for treating dementia in Alzheimer’s disease.
Following the incorrect prescription, he took the tablets up to five times a day as instructed. Within 2-3 days, he began to feel increasingly unwell, experiencing side effects that ultimately required him to seek hospital treatment.
Errors in prescribing can occur from GPs and hospital doctors and may include:
- Prescribing the incorrect medication
- Prescribing a medication to which the patient is allergic
- Prescribing an incorrect dosage
- Prescribing medications that interact negatively with others the patient is taking
- Failing to review repeat prescriptions
- Neglecting to provide a prescription
- Being given someone else’s medication
Pharmacists can also make dispensing errors, which may involve:
- Incorrectly labelling medication
- Providing the wrong medication to a patient
- Dispensing an incorrect dosage of the prescribed medication
- Failing to document the dispensed medication correctly
It is important to document any adverse effects you experience and seek medical attention promptly. This not only ensures your safety and well-being but also provides valuable evidence should you decide to pursue a claim.
When considering a compensation claim, it’s essential to consult with legal professionals who specialise in medical negligence. They can guide you through the process, help gather necessary documentation, and work to establish the scope of the harm you’ve suffered. This includes assessing medical records, consulting with healthcare experts, and carefully evaluating the impact on your quality of life.
Remember, pursuing a claim is not just about financial compensation—it’s also about holding the responsible parties accountable and preventing similar errors from happening to others. By taking action, you contribute to improving healthcare safety standards and ensuring that future patients receive the correct medications they need.
At Aston Knight Solicitors, our medical negligence specialists have vast experience in assisting clients who have experienced avoidable harm due to prescription or dispensing errors. We will collaborate with you to identify the medication error, discuss its impact on you, and guide you on the best course of action to pursue compensation for the harm you have endured.