Have Rx errors become so common that we are protraiting a lack of concern when they happen?

Here is a piece from a Chicago TV station of a mis-fill that happened at a Target.  Here  is a quote from the piece about the mother’s perception when presented with the mistake.

Asked what the pharmacist’s reaction was to learning the medication was mislabeled with a much higher dosage, she said, “it was just, ‘Oh, sorry about that.’ Like, I don’t think she had really thought about the severity of how big of the mistake was that she had made.”

Now this is the mother’s perception of the interaction, the pediatrician had his/her input and of course the Pharmacist was not permitted to speak …only the “mouth piece” from Target.  There is a old saying… “.. there are three sides to every story ….. yours, mine, and THE TRUTH…”

So it would appear that TARGET – typical for a corporation – gagged the Pharmacist/Rx dept staff and put forth a spokesperson to represent the COMPANY.. NOT THE PHARMACIST !

Was this Pharmacist’s attitude/comments about the mis-fill properly represented… or was the mother – who was justifiably upset – heard just the words she wanted to hear… and did the reporter overly sensationalize this whole situation?

At one point, I considered sending out a tweet for every time that I had to correct a mistake or a error…but after reconsidering… either one of two things would happen.. I would be spending so much time sending out tweets… that I couldn’t get my job done… or … I would “flatten” the battery in my IPhone in just a few hours. Just imagine all the tweets that would be sent if … all the RPH’s did such a thing.. even for just a single working day !

One Response

  1. I think the pharmacist was correct in her response. In these situations, “what you say can and will be held against you”. If there is any legal action, we all know that the company will distance itself from the pharmacist involved. She will be left to defend herself. It is best to apologize, fix the mistake, and say as little as possible for one’s own welfare.

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