Dispensing Errors

Every year, the College receives many complaints related to medication dispensing errors by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. While medication errors are a major concern for the College, it is important to note that often the complainant’s secondary complaint is that the dispensing pharmacist did not appear to take responsibility or accountability for the error.

In recent complaints, patients have reported receiving the following statements after reporting the error:

“You should have checked the medications before you left the pharmacy…”

Not surprisingly, by far the most common complaint received at the College are ones made in relation to medication dispensing errors by pharmacists. From March 1, 2012 to February 28, 2013, a total of 60 formal complaints were received and reviewed by the Inquiry Committee about the following types of medication dispensing errors:

Health product names often look and sound alike. These similarities sometimes cause clinicians and patients to confuse one drug name for another.

A patient was brought into the ER complaining of chest pains. The doctor on duty printed the PharmaNet record and prescribed drugs based on what was on her profile.