Case: A case due to illegible prescription is presented, occurring in a 52-year- old man with a history of duodenal ulcer admitted to hospital with epigastric pain. He was prescribed Lansoprazole (Aprazol tablet) and Calcium Magnesium Carbonate (Rennie suspension), but Naproxen Sodium (Skelan) was given him instead of Lansoprazole. Shortly after starting medication, he was diagnosed upper gastrointestinal bleeding and complete recovery was reached in a short time. After discharge from hospital, the patient filed a lawsuit against the pharmacy in the criminal court of first instance. At the end of trial, the court's decision was both the pharmacist and his assistant were mainly responsible for detriment of complainant’s health. They should have contacted with the prescribing doctor if any doubt existed about the name of drug that was being prescribed. According to the decision, the doctor's responsibility was smaller than the others. Questions: a. What do you think is the reason why in this case, the decision of the court is that the pharmacist have greater responsibility for the medication error than the prescriber?
Case:
A case due to illegible prescription is presented, occurring in a 52-year- old man with a history of duodenal
ulcer admitted to hospital with epigastric pain. He was prescribed Lansoprazole (Aprazol tablet) and
Calcium Magnesium Carbonate (Rennie suspension), but Naproxen Sodium (Skelan) was given him instead
of Lansoprazole. Shortly after starting medication, he was diagnosed upper gastrointestinal bleeding and
complete recovery was reached in a short time.
After discharge from hospital, the patient filed a lawsuit against the pharmacy in the criminal court of first
instance. At the end of trial, the court's decision was both the pharmacist and his assistant were mainly
responsible for detriment of complainant’s health. They should have contacted with the prescribing doctor
if any doubt existed about the name of drug that was being prescribed. According to the decision, the
doctor's responsibility was smaller than the others.
Questions:
a. What do you think is the reason why in this case, the decision of the court is that the
pharmacist have greater responsibility for the medication error than the prescriber?
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