http://www.fox9.com/news/cub-pharmacy-admits-to-giving-woman-wrong-prescription-dosage-for-months
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (KMSP) – A woman in Bloomington has a warning for others after she was given the wrong prescription dosage for months.
“I feel like I’m a 75, 80-year-old woman and I’m a 24-year-old single mom just trying to live,” said Megan Morales.
After years of trying to get a handle on her epilepsy, Morales says the majority of her daily pain stems from an overdose of Briviak.
Last June, her doctor added the anti-epileptic prescription to her daily routine, specifically 10 milligrams twice a day. Instead, a Cub pharmacist filled the scrip for 100 milligrams. Morales refilled the prescription three times before catching the mistake.
“My trust is completely gone from them,” said Morales.
Because of the large dosage, Morales had to be weaned off the drug and suffer through withdrawal. Her conversations with those representing Cub have been going on for months while she continues to battle through pain.
“I get people make mistakes, we all make do,” said Tammy Morales, Megan’s mom.
In a statement from Supervalu, which owns Cub, a spokesperson admits this was a human error, saying, “Since this matter was brought to our attention last fall, our team has reviewed our processes and coached our pharmacists in our commitment to reduce the potential for a future pharmacy error.”
Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Cody Wiberg points out human error everywhere, including pharmacies, does happen. Wiberg believes these mistakes happen fewer times in Minnesota because of two-step process pharmacists are legally required to take. He says he would like see a rule in place mandating records of mistakes and what is done about them.
“The board would then have the authority to go in and review those records and more importantly, make sure they are taking action to prevent future errors,” said Wiberg.
The future and not knowing how long her current pain will last is what Morales worries about most.
“If [my son] asks questions like ‘Momma why are you twitching?’” said Morales. “I can’t explain that to my three-year-old. How can you explain to your three-year-old that? I’m scared.”
Morales hasn’t filed a lawsuit yet because her main goal is to prevent this from happening to others.
Filed under: General Problems
Wonder if this medicine is something the doctor writes a new script for every month? Even if it’s an automatic refill this was three mistakes not one.
‘Spokesman admits it was human error”.You think?
I don’t see the two-step process they mention listed.I sure hope it’s another Pharamisict checking the first one’s work from now on.
She should sue.
No patient should take a prescription from their doctor without asking these questions.
1- What condition is the medication for
2- What is the medication suppose to do.
3- Name and dosage of the medication.
4- How the medication is to be taken.
5- Length of time medication has to be taken to see,results.
No patient should pay for their medication without first checking to be sure the information their doctor gave them is the same on their prescription.
No patient should Ever take Any medication without verifying the imprint on the medication matches the medication from the pharmacy. And that it is the medication prescribed by their doctor. This goes for first medications as,well as medications taken before.
These things take time But, patients have responsibilities in their health care.
Patients should also ask their pharmacist for the Physician and Pharmacist Insert that comes with every container of medication from the manufacturer. They are long and often difficult to read. But, almost everything you need to know about your medications are there. If your pharmacist will not give you these. Or if they only give you the one for patients You can find them online at the FDA,website or the manufacturers,website