Source: Health and Disability Commissioner
The Deputy Commissioner was also critical that the pharmacist failed to provide the consumer with a clear explanation about the adverse side effects of taking the incorrect medication after the dispensing error was discovered.
“In my view, a reasonable pharmacist should conduct a thorough and comprehensive review about an incorrectly dispensed medication and inform the affected patient immediately about potential adverse side effects,” said Ms Wall.
“It is clear that at the time of discovering her error, the pharmacist checked for information about the dispensed medication, but did not appreciate that there were serious side effects. Accordingly, I am critical that the consumer did not receive a clear explanation about the adverse side effects of the medication she had taken.”
The pharmacist accepted full responsibility for her error. Ms Wall recommended she formally apologise to the consumer. She also asked her to report back on the learnings she had taken from this case.
Ms Wall also made adverse comment on the pharmacy, saying she was critical of its dispensing and checking standard operating procedures.
In her decision, Ms Wall highlighted the importance of pharmacies having thorough operating procedures that contained step-by-step processes for dispensing and checking medications, in accordance with the Pharmacy Council Standards.
This is particularly important for medications that look alike, she said, adding that such medications should be highlighted on dispensary shelves to alert dispensers to the potential error of dispensing an incorrect medication.
The mistake occurred when the woman was prescribed isotretinoin for acne – a medication which is not recommended for use by people planning to become pregnant. The pharmacist told HDC that she advised the woman of the dangers of becoming pregnant while using isotretinoin.
However, the pharmacist incorrectly put acitretin (a medication used to treat skin disorders like psoriasis) in the box marked isotretinoin. Patients using acitretin are required to avoid pregnancy for three years. The woman took the incorrect medication for 22 days. The pharmacist discovered the error when the woman returned to pick up her repeat medication.
