There are many Illinois residents who must take prescription medications every day in order to control and manage their health problems. As a result, pharmacists fill thousands of prescriptions on a daily basis, and they must follow strict procedures in order to prevent patients from getting the wrong medication or the wrong dosage. Failing to give a patient the correct medication and dosage could cause the patient to suffer additional health problems.
Due to a medication error made by Walgreens, one man said that he is now suing the company. The man says that he was given the wrong medication when he went to pick up his prescription from the pharmacy. The incident nearly killed him after he took the prescription that Walgreens had sent him home with.
According to the man, he received a medication called Amlodipine Besylate, which helps those with heart problems. However, the man did not suffer from heart problems. He had a hernia and was supposed to be given Hydrocodone. The man was given a bag with his name on it at the pharmacy, and he said that he didn’t even bother to look at the pill bottle. Now he wishes he had looked at the bottle before taking the medication.
The man said that he took the medication for several days until he discovered that his name was not on the pill bottle. The medication had caused the man to become dizzy, and he was later hospitalized after he fell off of a ledge and suffered from a mini-stroke.
The man’s health has been permanently affected by the mistake. The lawsuit claims that the man is in constant pain after suffering from injuries to the head, neck, back and nervous system. He has also been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat after taking the wrong medication.
In response to the lawsuit, Walgreens commented that staff had attempted to call the man to let him know about the mistake, but they did not have his correct contact information. The pharmacy, which has locations all across the nation, said that this type of mistake is rarely made.
Walgreens also said they will investigate the situation and make an effort to prevent it from happening in the future.
The lawsuit is seeking millions in damages for pain and suffering.
Source: KMOV, “Prescription problem leads to lawsuit against Walgreens,” John O’Sullivan, Oct. 3, 2011
