With the advance of technology and knowledge in the study of human health, medication has come a considerable way. There is medication that can make your heart beat better, your brain focus more, medication that can genuinely improve the course of human lives. That is, if you’re prescribed the right medication for your condition. The problem when it comes to biochemistry is that there are a number of little variables. Factor in the fact that the genetic structure is different for every person which means they all have the potential to react differently to the same medication and you can see how carefully prescription medications need to be managed. Even with that being the case not only are prescription medication errors common, but the number of mis-prescriptions are on the rise. The question is, why?
Human Error is an Element
The problem with treatment, especially on a broad scale, is the fact that there are so many different potentials for error. From the outset, there is the potential for the Doctor to misdiagnose the symptoms and prescribe the wrong medication based on that diagnosis. From there, there is the potential for a miscommunication between nurses and the doctor which can lead to the wrong medication, dosage, or strength being prescribed. Following that, if the doctor has messy handwriting, the prescription can be misread by a pharmacy technician, which can also result in the wrong medication being given to a patient. In short, there are a number of ways that the wrong medication can be prescribed.
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The Harm of the Wrong Medication
In the best case scenario, the wrong medication simply doesn’t work and you’ll have to take another trip to the doctor’s office to get something that does work. However, that’s only in the best case scenario. In the worst case scenario, the wrong medication can cause considerable complications in your health, whether it interfere with another medication you regularly take or you a experience an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can range anywhere from a mild discomfort and rash to something potentially fatal. Because of this, it’s important that you are both prescribed and taking the right medication according to your medical and biological condition.
What Should I do if I’m Prescribed the Wrong Medication?
Being prescribed the wrong medication and experiencing an adverse reaction can be terrifying. Not only are you unwell to begin with, but now you have to cope with recovering from whatever reaction you had to the wrong medication being prescribed to you. If you’ve experienced harm due to being prescribed the wrong medication, whether it be from misdiagnosis or from an error in the process of getting and filling the prescription, then it’s important that you consult with an experienced personal injury attorney regarding your potential case. Medical malpractice cases are numerous but seldom result in a win for the victim without the help of the right attorney. Being prescribed the wrong medication, especially when it results in harm, can be the basis for a medical malpractice case. However, the only way to protect yourself and your rights is with the help of an experienced medical malpractice attorney.
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Michael Schreyer is a personal injury attorney in Maryland and is a partner in the firm of Alpert Schreyer, LLC. He is an experienced personal injury attorney, serving the Maryland and Washington, DC area and providing information and advice on his law blog at dcmdlaw.com.