Six Ways to Avoid Prescription Drug Errors in Virginia

We go to the doctor because we want to get better. We take the medications that our physician prescribed for the same reason.  Very rarely do we stop and thing about the possibility that the doctor prescribed the wrong medication or that the pharmacist misinterpreted the doctor’s instructions.

The reality is that medication errors happen and when they do, the complications can be pretty serious.  There are some things you can do, as a patient, to minimize your risks of suffering from prescription mistakes.

1. Ensure that your physician knows the medications you are currently taking.  This information is important and can help prevent problems from drug interactions.
2. Tell your doctor about any allergies you have to medicines.  It is crucial that your doctor also knows about any reactions you have had while taking a drug.
3. Ask a lot of questions.  It is important that you know what the medication is for and how long you will be taking it.
4. Know the side effects.  You need to be aware of the possible complications of taking the medicine.
5. Make sure the prescription slip is legible.  If you can’t read your physician’s handwriting, there’s a strong chance the pharmacist won’t be able to either.
6. Double check with the pharmacist.  When you pick up your prescription, confirm that it is the right drug and the correct dosage.

Even when you take measures to protect yourself, medication mistakes sometimes still happen.  If you were harmed by a drug error, you may have a Virginia medical malpractice claim.

You can learn more about malpractice in the book, Why Most Medical Malpractice Victims Never Recover a Dime. The book is free for Virginia residents.