Pharmacy Error

[Miles]

Recently my ten year old daughter,a type I diabetic, experienced rising blood sugar levels with large ketones. I was treating her with regular insulin and her bs levels continued to rise. At one point I checked the expiration date on the insulin vile and it was almost a year out of date.I imediately opened a new vile and started giving it to her. I also had to take her to the ER where they did blood work to assess any damage. Fortunately there was non.

The insulin in question was purchased from Wal Mart Pharmacy. This pharmacy frequently uses untrained cashier/stock personal to fill perscriptions. They are supposed to be checked by the pharmacist. I don't know if this practice is legal, but I certainly doesn't seem safe.

We live in Pennsylvania.

I would like to insure that the chances of this happening to someone else ar greatly decreased. Do I have a case?



[Edited by Miles on 01-28-2001 at 02:50 PM]

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Recently my ten year old daughter,a type I diabetic, experienced rising blood sugar levels with large ketones. I was treating her with regular insulin and her bs levels continued to rise. At one point I checked the expiration date on the insulin vile and it was almost a year out of date.I imediately opened a new vile and started giving it to her. I also had to take her to the ER where they did blood work to assess any damage. Fortunately there was non.

The insulin in question was purchased from Wal Mart Pharmacy. This pharmacy frequently uses untrained cashier/stock personal to fill perscriptions. They are supposed to be checked by the pharmacist. I don't know if this practice is legal, but I certainly doesn't seem safe.

We live in Pennsylvania.

I would like to insure that the chances of this happening to someone else ar greatly decreased. Do I have a case?



[Edited by Miles on 01-28-2001 at 02:50 PM]

My response:

Fortunately, your daughter is okay. Thank goodness.

You should write a Certified letter of complaint to the store, with copies of all of your proof - e.g., the prescription, your receipt, etc. Tell them how you feel, and how dangerous their practices are to those who depend upon them.

You should like write such a letter to Federal Trade Commission, along with a letter to the Federal Food and Drug Administration.

You may have a cause of action for your ER medical costs. So, in your letter to Wal Mart, demand a refund of your medical charges (enclose a copy of your ER billing, and diagnosis sheet). If they don't cooperate, file an action in Small Claims court.

Again, thank goodness that a disaster was averted, and that your daughter is okay.

Thanks for writing.

IAAL