Medication errors

[podcast]http://news.health.ufl.edu//media/2010/02/2248-Medication-Errors-_-2248-Medication-Errors.mp3[/podcast]

When you drop off your prescription at the drugstore, someone enters the information into a computer, counts out the pills and rings up your purchase. Contrary to many people’s expectations, that someone isn’t always a pharmacist. That leaves one question: Who’s that person in the white coat?

In many cases, it’s a pharmacy technician. It’s no wonder that drugstores need the extra help… almost four-billion prescriptions are filled each year in the United States. Pharmacists perform a series of checks to make sure each prescription is correct, but they’re usually not involved in the dispensing process.

A recent report by the Institute of Medicine found that drug mix-ups harm more than one-point-five-million people every year. The statistics have inspired concern about the training of pharmacy technicians. Most states require that technicians have high school diplomas and clean criminal records. They’re often trained on the job… few states require technicians to pass a licensing exam before filling prescriptions.

Nearly everyone will need a prescription filled sometime in their life. So how can you stay safe? First, make sure you understand what each of your prescriptions is for before you leave your doctor’s office. Provide the pharmacist on staff with an up-to-date list of your medications. When you receive your order, watch the pharmacist open the bottle in front of you and check that the pills match your doctor’s original instructions. If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask. Simple precautions can prevent dangerous mistakes!