Consumer Services

Consumer Health: Prescription for Disaster

For generations, doctors' handwritten prescriptions have been equated with the drawings of chicken scratch. Although humorous on the surface, a simple misinterpretation of a letter in the name of a prescription drug could have fatal consequences for a patient. While electronic tools are now available to help prevent scribblers' errors, only about 20 percent of doctors are using them according to Consumer Reports -- which means the majority still handwrite their notes. This creates the potential for a patient to be given the wrong medication when they pick up their prescription from the pharmacist. Add to that laws that vary from state to state regarding patient notification when drug formularies are changed, it creates a safety concern for consumers who trust that they are receiving the correct medication.

Unless your doctor specifies that a brand name drug must be dispensed, pharmacists will likely switch it for a generic drug if one is available, and they will not necessarily notify patients or physicians. There should, however, be a label stating that it is the same drug even though it may look different.

There are several steps you can take to ensure you are receiving the right prescription drug for your condition. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the lead Federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services charged with improving the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of healthcare for all Americans, makes the following recommendations:

• Research medical websites that provide pictures of medications, list drug identifiers and other important informational tools.

• Read your prescription. Before you leave your doctor's office with prescription in hand, make sure you can read it correctly.

• Know what your medication is used for. Ask your doctor to write directly on the prescription what condition or symptoms the medication is supposed to treat.

• Order your prescriptions from the same pharmacy when possible. Pharmacy databases can catch many errors, including duplication of medications. A pharmacy's computer can also check for drug-to-drug interactions and dosage errors.

• Look over your medication carefully when you receive it. Make sure it matches what the doctor ordered and that refills are not different in shape, color or size from what you were given before. If anything is amiss, ask the pharmacist to double check it.

• Keep a list of all your medications, vitamins and supplements. It will help coordinate your care if you have multiple doctors and keep you safer if you need to see someone in an emergency.

To learn about these and other consumer issues, visit the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department website at www.miamidade.gov/csd   or call the Consumer Mediation Center at 305-375-3677.