Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
Pharmacy mistakes often occur when a drug’s name closely resembles another. These mix-ups can happen at any pharmacy, even those that claim to have safety measures in place. In Maryland, when a patient is harmed because of a medication error, legal action may be available. Certain medications are more frequently confused due to their nearly identical names or packaging.
If someone in your family is harmed after receiving the wrong prescription, you may be able to hold the pharmacy accountable. Maryland law requires proof that a duty was breached and that the mistake directly caused harm. Learning which medications are commonly involved in these errors can help protect you and your loved ones.
Why Are Medications So Frequently Confused?
Several drugs look or sound alike when written or spoken. These similarities can cause pharmacists and technicians to dispense the wrong one, especially during busy hours or under distraction. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices has compiled an extensive list of these look-alike and sound-alike pairs. Examples include amlodipine versus amiloride, and hydroxyzine versus hydralazine. Each pair includes drugs used for very different conditions.
Even experienced pharmacy staff sometimes mistake one for the other, particularly if the label is unclear, the name is misspelled, or the prescription is phoned in. These situations increase the risk of giving out the wrong medication. Research shows that such errors account for a significant portion of reported pharmacy mistakes.
Many pharmacies try to reduce this risk by using a system known as tall man lettering. This strategy capitalizes on the distinct part of similar drug names to help differentiate them. For example, prednisone and prednisolone are displayed differently to catch the eye.
Examples of Commonly Confused Medications
Errors are most likely to occur when two medications treat unrelated conditions but have similar names or packaging. Here are some common examples:
Hydroxyzine and Hydralazine. One is used to treat allergies, while the other is used for blood pressure. Switching these by mistake could result in serious consequences.
Buspirone and Bupropion. Though the names sound similar, these drugs serve very different purposes. Confusing them may delay proper treatment or cause unwanted side effects.
Cisplatin and Carboplatin. Both are chemotherapy drugs, but they are not interchangeable. A mix-up could result in overdosing or underdosing.
Even minor mislabeling or packaging errors can turn deadly, particularly when high-alert medications like opioids or insulin are involved.
Pharmacy Error Claims in Maryland
In Maryland, pharmacy malpractice falls under the same general legal principles as other forms of medical negligence. Pharmacies owe a duty of care to patients. When they breach that duty by giving the wrong drug, and that mistake causes an injury, the injured person may file a claim.
To succeed in court, you need to show that the pharmacy’s conduct fell below the accepted standard. Evidence often includes records from the pharmacy, expert analysis of prescription instructions, and medical documentation showing the harm that resulted.
You do not need to prove the error was intentional. Instead, you must demonstrate that the pharmacy failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the mix-up.
What You Should Do If You Suspect a Medication Error
If you believe you received the wrong medication, stop taking it immediately. Save the bottle, label, and any other packaging. Take photographs, write down what happened, and contact your prescribing doctor. These steps are essential not only for your safety but also for building a legal case.
Report the incident to the Maryland Board of Pharmacy and ask the pharmacy for an internal investigation. Finally, reach out to an attorney who has experience handling these types of claims.
Medication Mix-Ups Are Preventable
Pharmacy errors involving look-alike or sound-alike medications are preventable with the right safety systems. Many experts recommend prescribing with both brand and generic names, including the purpose of the medication on the prescription, and using electronic ordering systems that reduce miscommunication.
When a pharmacy fails to implement or follow these practices, it places patients at risk. Legal claims hold these companies accountable and help enforce better safeguards for others in the future.
Talk to a Maryland Pharmacy Error Attorney Today
If a pharmacy gave you or a loved one the wrong medication, you may have the right to financial compensation. Mistakes involving similar drug names can cause serious injuries, and Maryland law offers you a path to recovery.
At Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how to investigate pharmacy error claims. Our legal team works with medical professionals and pharmacists to determine precisely what went wrong and how it could have been avoided. You do not need to face this process alone. Call (800) 654-1949 for a free consultation today.