What is a pharmacy mistake?
A pharmacy mistake occurs when a pharmacist gives a patient the wrong drug or the wrong dose of a drug. Other dispensing errors include giving patients out-of-date medication, medication that is incorrectly packaged or labelled and failing to provide accurate information about how to take the medicine or how to store it.
How common are pharmacy mistakes?
According to the BMJ over 237 million medication errors are made every year. It is estimated that the cost to the NHS is in the region of £98 million, with 1,700 lives being lost annually.
Medication errors take place in a variety of settings including hospitals and care homes, but in this article we are concentrating on mistakes made in pharmacies.
What harm can be suffered from a pharmacy mistake?
A pharmacy mistake may be inconsequential and have no adverse consequences for the patient. However, errors can have serious health implications. Patients who take the wrong medication or the wrong dose can become seriously ill and suffer life-changing injuries. In extreme cases it can be fatal.
Can I claim compensation for a pharmacy mistake?
Pharmacists and pharmacies owe you a legal duty of care. If they make a mistake which results in you being given the wrong prescription or the wrong dosage, and you suffer injury as a result, then it is likely that you will be entitled to make a compensation claim.
You can find out where you stand on making a claim by contacting our dedicated helpline for a free case assessment and details of No Win, No fee funding.
We have a team of dedicated lawyers who specialise in medical law and are experienced in dealing with pharmacy mistake claims and medication errors.
What does it cost to make a pharmacy mistake claim?
We are able to deal with cases on a No Win, No Fee basis, so there is no need to allow worries about legal costs to put you off claiming the compensation you deserve.
We will fund all case expenses, including the cost of any medical expert’s report, so there is nothing to pay upfront. And if you do not win your claim you will not be charged.
How much compensation will I receive?
You will be entitled to claim compensation for any injuries or illness you suffer, together with your financial losses.
The amount of compensation varies from case to case and will depend upon the severity of your injury/illness and how long it takes for you to make a full recovery.
Out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of the error also vary. These may include any earnings you lose, the cost of medical treatment and the value of any care that is provided to you by a friend or loved one.
Our specialist lawyers will discuss your losses with you and ensure that a claim is submitted for the maximum sum.
How do I make my pharmacy mistake claim?
We have made the process of making a claim extremely simple.
Just contact our medical helpline, either by telephone or email, and we will take you through it, step by step.
All we need are details of the pharmacy error and the effect of that error on your health as a result. You can leave us to do the rest.
