Have you heard the one about the doctor with the poor handwriting?  We have.
 
The fact that many doctors have poor handwriting is a long running joke, but it is no joke when what is written on a prescription pad is misinterpreted by a pharmacist and results in a fatal medication error.

While some prescriptions are now computerized, many doctors still rely on their prescription pads or fax machines to order prescription drugs for their patients.  And, all it takes is one undecipherable letter for a pharmacist to misinterpret the prescription for another drug with a similar name or abbreviation.  All it takes is one misplaced decimal point for the wrong dose of medication to be administered.

We share this information with you, not to scare you, but to protect you.  We encourage you to ask your doctor what he or she is prescribing and to spell it for you so that you can double check the drugs that you are given at the pharmacy.   We encourage you to read our free report for more information about common medication errors: Medications: Prescription, Administration & Other Common Errors.

If you have lost a loved one due to a prescription drug error, or if you have been hurt by such a mistake, then please contact an Atlanta medical malpractice attorney at 1.770.518.1133 or via our online contact form for more information.