Check prescriptions
Marilyn Jones, Emporia
Originally published 01:24 p.m., March 18, 2008
Updated 01:24 p.m., March 18, 2008
Recently I had one of my prescriptions refilled. I did not pay any attention to what the pills looked like. While I was at work, one of my co-workers mentioned that a woman she knows had received the wrong medication when she had her prescription refilled.
This prompted me to check my medication when I went home. The pills in the bottle were not the same ones I had been taking. I called the pharmacy and spoke to the pharmacist. I took the bottle to the pharmacy and they confirmed that I had been given the wrong medicine.
Please always check your medication when you have it refilled. Look to make sure the tablets or capsules look the same as the ones you were taking before. They should be the same size, shape and color. If they are not the same, call your pharmacist and have the prescription checked. I was fortunate that the medication they gave me was nothing that caused any major problem. This may not always be the case.
Please do not take a chance. check your refill before taking the medication.
Stella88 (anonymous) says...
thats how bad and stupid the pharmacists are in emporia
March 18, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Wow stella, one mistake is reported and every pharmacist in Emporia is "stupid"? So what is your major premise?
Thank you, Marilyn Jones, for giving us a very important reminder. We should always check our refills for size, shape, and color.
March 18, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Absolute (anonymous) says...
Patients should always take an active part of their own care. Health care workers are human and make mistakes. Being aware and alert to your own health care needs is imperative.
March 18, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zippy (anonymous) says...
Always participate in your health care by asking questions.
March 18, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
I switched local pharmacies when one shorted me pills not once but twice. They acted like I was trying to cheat them when I brought it to their attention. I had that happen once at another pharmacy and they apologized profusely and corrected their mistake. The pharmacy is often swamped with orders and mistakes can happen. We need to be alert and double check our medicines.
March 19, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ascwrangler (anonymous) says...
I'm sorry, but a Pharmacy should be held to a higher standard. Human or not.
I agree that one should check a "familiar" prescription for size and color however what if you've never taken a prescribed medication before and have no reference?
My wife is a nurse and tells me that a certain local pharmacy is notorious for mistakes....so if you have fallen victim to one and go back, it's your own fault if you suffer harm.
March 19, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esuhornets (anonymous) says...
Which local pharmacy is notorious for mistakes?
March 19, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ascwrangler (anonymous) says...
My intent was not to bash] a local business, but rather express the opinion that a single mistake would be all it would take for me to shop elsewhere for medications.
Check with friends, family, and co-workers. Check with your physician for recomendations.
However I don't feel it's appropriate for me to name the pharmacy here.
March 20, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Which local Rx has not made a mistake. EVER?
March 20, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ascwrangler (anonymous) says...
>
Perhaps I should have said medication mistakes?...lets not get carried away.
Clerical errors are all I've had in over 30 yrs.
In other words billing and insurance.
That's not to say they haven't happened to others, but one mistake for me is all I tolerate before I patronize someone else.
If you choose to allow someone to compromise your safety and health, that is your business.
The lowering of standards here in this great nation of ours has become "pandemic"(huge pun intended).
March 24, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )