Pharmacists make a living handling patient’s prescriptions. If you are a pharmacist, it is your job to ensure all medicine is being administered safely and appropriately. This is not an easy practice, and if you are facing a wrongful or unwarranted medical malpractice claim, it can put your life in shambles. If you are under investigation for a medical malpractice claim, here are some of the questions you may have:
What constitutes medical malpractice?
Pharmacists must conduct themselves responsibly by distributing and authorizing medications for patients with caution. Just as physicians must never breach their duty of care, pharmacists must never behave negligently as well. Pharmacists have a ton of responsibility, as they are handling medication that has a potentially addictive or harmful nature if distributed or used incorrectly. If a patient has been injured or their condition has worsened due to an improperly-filled prescription, they may have a valid breach of duty claim. However, a patient will also have to prove causation, meaning he or she will have to prove the injuries sustained were a direct result of your negligent actions. If you are under investigation, you must retain the services of an aggressive and efficient medical malpractice attorney.
What is pharmacist negligence?
Pharmacists are responsible for ensuring a patient is being treated appropriately. If a pharmacist does any of the following, he or she may be charged with medical malpractice:
- Fails to review a prescription in relation to a patient’s medical history
- Fails to contact a patient’s healthcare provider if there are any concerns regarding prescribed drugs
- Fails to explain all the potential side effects of a drug to a patient
- Fails to ensure prescriptions from multiple physicians can be taken together
What happens in a medical malpractice lawsuit?
When a pharmacist is facing a claim of medical malpractice, he or she will most likely be investigated by the Office of Professional Discipline, or OPD. This is a very serious matter and can affect a pharmacist’s livelihood dramatically. If you are under investigation, you must hire an experienced medical malpractice attorney to fight for your right to practice. If you are found guilty, there is a very good chance you will be stripped of your medical license, which, quite obviously, can turn your life upside down. Do not let an unwarranted or untrue accusation impact you or your family’s lives. Contact our firm today.
Contact our experienced New York City firm
When a medical professional is accused of misconduct, it is essential that they retain strong legal representation. If you require a medical law attorney for your legal matters, call Paul E. Walker, an experienced New York City OPMC & OPD Lawyer. Please contact the Walker Medical Law firm to set up a free initial consultation.
