Does the patient supposed to know this?

[nextyearrx]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all,

I have a question. I work at retail and my pharmacy label says what the drug should look like. like citalopram 20mg will have IP 53 mark on it. That way patient will know what the med should look like. I have seen many patients taking medications without looking at the label!!!

My question is what if a pharmacist misses and dispenses a wrong drug and patient takes it without looking at the description of the drug?? Isn't the patient responsible for the meds he/she is taking?? I have many patients telling me that "I just take meds that is in the bottle, I don't even know what med should look like."

And some people say: "I don't even know what I am using this medication for!!"

 

[zelman]

They have no responsibility.

 

[Cauris]

nope... some of them dont even know what they are using or what they are for.

PT: I need a cream
Me: *checks profile* sir you got 3 creams, do you know the name of the cream?
PT (CALOP): No, I need a cream, refill them all
Me: ..... wasteful bastard

 

[positivesign]

It's required by law (at least in Cali) for pharmacies to put the description of the pill on the label. Can't skip it whether the patient appreciates it or not.

 

[dblock05]

If its their responsible for making sure its correct then what are they paying you for?

 

[Lnsean]

Hi all,

I have a question. I work at retail and my pharmacy label says what the drug should look like. like citalopram 20mg will have IP 53 mark on it. That way patient will know what the med should look like. I have seen many patients taking medications without looking at the label!!!

My question is what if a pharmacist misses and dispenses a wrong drug and patient takes it without looking at the description of the drug?? Isn't the patient responsible for the meds he/she is taking?? I have many patients telling me that "I just take meds that is in the bottle, I don't even know what med should look like."

And some people say: "I don't even know what I am using this medication for!!"

Not sure if serious or trolling.

 

[Rouelle]

Agreed. A patient should pay some attention to what's going on, but verifying the contents of the prescription vial is a responsibility that rests solely on the pharmacist.

 

[pharmasaur]

looollll you expect patients to look at the pil description and make sure it matches what's in the vial?......most patients don't know the name of their medication or even what it's for.