Have you ever received someone else's medication by mistake at the pharmacy?
By loujac3
@loujac3 (1188)
United States
April 26, 2007 1:11am CST
I went to RiteAid yesterday to pickup a script and drop off a new one. It took about 30 minutes for the pharmacist to prepare it because they were busy. When I proceeded to pay for them the lady behind the counter almost gave me someone elses medication. I corrected her and she went back to get mine. I paid and headed home. Late last night as I was getting ready to take my medication I pulled it out of the bag and I realized that the name was spelled wrong. The last letters were sen and not son. I looked at the first name and it started with an L but it wasn't my name. I then realized it was a sleep medication and not my hormonal medication. Now just imagine, what if this had been a medication I was allergic to or for something that could have done me some harm. The pills were even similar in size, shape and color.
I called the pharmacist today and told him about it. I explained everything in detail and he was very concerned. I told him that I used to care for patients and I always read the label before giving or taking medication. I have seen elderly people get the wrong medication and die because of it. He was willing to deliver it out to me but I told him I wanted to be reinbursed for my payment. In the end he agreed that I could bring it in and get repaid but that I would receive my medication for free. Has this ever happen to you, did you take it by mistake? What was your reaction? Do your read the label before taking your medications?
3 people like this
3 responses
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
26 Apr 07
I had something similar happen once. In my case they changed they gave me the right medication but the wrong amount and at the wrong dosage. So instead of 60 50mg pills, they gave me 10 6mg pills. It was something kind've odd like that, that didn't make sense. I discovered it when I opened the medication and realized they didn't look right. I took them back and they gave me the right amount at the correct dosage. The pharmacist then took the guy who filled the perscription aside and gave him a pretty thourough talking to, as it had the potential to have been an extremely dangerous situation. That is the only error I've ever encountered.
2 people like this
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
26 Apr 07
What a terrible mistake. I cannot imagine if the person is illiterate. I seldom visit the doctor so I rarely had the chance to take wrong medicine. However, I used to buy medicine for my mother regularly. I not only check the name, but also the medicine and name of the medicine I am supposed to take. It pays to be extra careful especially where medication is concerned.
1 person likes this
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
26 Apr 07
i had a similar experience at a RiteAid pharmacy a number of years ago.
i had taken in a refill for my birth control. came back after work to pick it up, they didnt seem overly busy at the time. the lady came up to the counter and said that they were waiting on the call from the doctor to approve more refills (which confused me cause i had like 5 refills left) she then handed me a bag and said that these would hold me over until the doctors approval which should come thru the next day.
i stood there thinking "thats odd" why would they do that for just birth control?? i opened up the bag and they were nitroglycerin pills! i dont have a heart problem for sure, those pills dont even come in the same "packaging" that birth control does and the name on the bottle was NOT EVEN CLOSE to my own!! the doctors name was even the same!
i called the lady back over and explained that these arent mine, thats not me or my doctor and i just want my birth control. she looked at me like i was stupid and i guess she was irritated cause she said very loudly "we are trying to make sure you have the meds you need even though you brought in an expired prescription!"
ppl were looking over at me like i was trying to start trouble!
i actually had to show her my license to PROVE i was not that person! not to mention had to wait until the next morning to get MY refill!
i changed pharmacies for the next refill to say the least! lol
@loujac3 (1188)
• United States
28 Apr 07
That was major mistake on the pharmacie's part. They are suppose to get your name and date of birth to confirm that you are the correct patient.
I too, am thnking about changing pharnmacies. We as the consumers need to always double check the work of the pharmacy. I always check mine before I open the package or vial. WE can never be too safe!
