Recently our clinical negligence solicitors have settled the following claims involving the incorrect use of drugs:

• Negligent misinterpretation of prescription - £7,500
• Long-term steroidal prescription - £50,000
• Cardiac drug toxicity - £100,000

The clinical negligence solicitors at Pryers have dealt with many compensation claims arising from prescribing and dispensing errors. Examples of prescribing errors include a Doctor incorrectly writing up the dose of the drug, leading to the patient receiving an overdose. Particular attention has to be paid when prescribing drugs to children and errors can be made in prescribing a child an adult dose. Overdoses of certain drugs can have a devastating effect on the body or even cause death.

General Practitioners can sometimes prescribe medication repeatedly for many years without considering whether a repeat prescription is actually suitable for the patient, sometimes leading to physical injury from chronic overdose or addiction to certain medications.

Dispensing errors usually occur at the chemist. If a Doctor has made an error in the spelling of a drug's name or has not written the name clearly the chemist could dispense the wrong drug. This could lead to the patient not receiving the correct treatment for their condition which may then get worse or they could receive a drug to which they have an adverse reaction.

We have the expertise and experience to help you pursue your case against the prescriber, dispenser or both.