Walgreens Pharmacy Misfill Causes Dosing Error

In a recent pharmacy misfill news story that our Maryland pharmacy error injury lawyers have been following, a pharmacy customer has received an apology from a local Walgreens pharmacy, after receiving refills of a medication that contained a dosage that was ten times stronger than what the doctor had prescribed.

The pharmacy misfill reportedly took place repeatedly for around a year, where Larina Helsom took a 50mcg tablet twice a day instead of a 5mcg dose. The medication reportedly caused the Helsom to suffer from chest and esophageal spasms that were so painful she couldn’t talk or breathe. When they first started happening, Helsom thought that she was dying.

After months of taking the prescription misfill, Helsom reportedly went through several hospitalizations for the spasms, along with other prescribed medications to control the symptoms. Once the drug misfill was discovered, her doctor advised that Helsom stop taking the drug immediately.

The Arizona State Pharmacy Board is reportedly now investigating Walgreen’s pharmacy misfill, to decide whether negligence was a factor in the mistake. Last year, the pharmacy board reportedly received 131 complaints about pharmacies statewide. Walgreens claims that the prescription dose at issue was within the normal range of dosing for this drug.

Lebowitz and Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers represent victims of pharmacy misfill in Maryland and the Washington, D.C. area. Contact our attorneys today for a free consultation about your rights.

Valley pharmacy says ‘sorry’ for dosage mistake, Valley Pharmacy Says Sorry for Dosage Mistake, ABC 15, June 13, 2011

Related Web Resources:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Medication Error Reports

Institute for Safe Medication Practices, (ISMP)

20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors in Children: Patient Fact Sheet, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Related Blog Posts:

Another Child Receives Prescription Mix-up From Same Walgreens Pharmacy, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, February 23, 2011
AHRQ Tips for Preventing Medical Mistakes with Children, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog, March 30, 2010
Keeping Children Safe—Eliminating Mistakes from the Children’s Healthcare Industry, Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyers, March 29, 2010

Contact Information