Illinois Takes Action on Pharmacy Errors

Chicago, IL (Law Firm Newswire) January 26, 2017 – Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner announced an initiative to improve pharmacy safety, after an investigation by the Chicago Tribune found that 52 percent of pharmacies in the Chicago area filled prescriptions for dangerous drug combinations.

“This is an urgent matter,” said Paul Greenberg, an attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, who represents individuals harmed by pharmacy errors. “Public safety initiatives like this one are needed to protect people from future harm, and people who have been injured need to know that they may be entitled to compensation.”

As part of the Tribune investigation, reporters went to 255 Chicago-area pharmacies and attempted to fill prescriptions for medications that should not be taken in combination. More than half of the pharmacists filled the prescriptions without giving any warning of the danger. Both chains and independent pharmacies failed the test.

Gov. Rauner’s plan would institute a requirement for pharmacists to warn patients about dangerous drug combinations and other important issues whenever a prescription changes or the patient is buying a medication for the first time. Currently, Illinois law only requires that the offer of counseling be made, which is often addressed by asking the patient if they have any questions for the pharmacist.

The proposal from Gov. Rauner would also increase state inspections of pharmacies, with particular attention to risky drug combinations. A “mystery shopper” program would test pharmacists’ compliance with the law.

“Dispensing dangerous combinations of drugs violates pharmacists’ duty to patients,” said Greenberg. “When patients are harmed by such errors, they should seek legal counsel.”

For more information about Chicago’s pharmacy error epidemic, visit Briskman Briskman & Greenberg’s website.

Learn more at http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/practice-areas/wrongful-death/

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
351 West Hubbard Street, Ste 810
Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312.222.0010
Facebook: Like Us!
Google+ Contact a Chicago personal injury attorney from Briskman Briskman & Greenberg on Google+.

• Illinois man alleges Wal-Mart pharmacist filled wrong prescription
  A man who suffers from high blood pressure sued a Wal-Mart pharmacy in Cahokia, Illinois, claiming the pharmacist provided him with the incorrect prescription. Leroy Turner filed the lawsuit in St. Clair County Circuit Court on August 25, 2015. He alleged Wal-Mart Inc. and pharmacist Christopher L. Hurtte were negligent in providing him with the …
• Marine and two others killed in wrong-way crash on interstate
  Three men died in a violent wrong-way collision in Naperville, Illinois. The accident occurred around 1 a.m. on December 2 and involved two vehicles. Ali Erhaima, 32, was driving a 2007 Chrysler 300 in the westbound lane of Interstate 88 when a wrong-way driver crashed into him head-on. The driver, of a 2012 Toyota Camry, …
• An Alarming Rise in Deaths Due to Car Crashes Baffles Experts
  In this episode of Chicago Injury Alert, we look at the rise of fatal highway car accidents.
• Parents, not just teens, are part of the distracted driving problem
  In this episode of Chicago Injury Alert, we look at the issues surrounding distracted driving, including parent and teen drivers.
• Walgreens sued after teen dies from morphine intoxication
  The parents of a teenager filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Walgreens, alleging their son died of morphine intoxication due to medical negligence. Tom Steinbacher Sr. and Christine Steinbacher, as co-administrators of their son’s estate, filed the complaint in Cook County Circuit Court on April 21. They are seeking a jury trial in addition to …

The Chicago Injury Alert Podcast

• An Alarming Rise in Deaths Due to Car Crashes Baffles Experts
  In this episode of Chicago Injury Alert, we look at the rise of fatal highway car accidents.
• Parents, not just teens, are part of the distracted driving problem
  In this episode of Chicago Injury Alert, we look at the issues surrounding distracted driving, including parent and teen drivers.
• Recalled Used Vehicles Sold and Rented to Public Without Repairs
  In this episode of Chicago Injury Alert, we look at legislation for rental car companies and car makers regarding recalled vehicles.
• Was This Chicago Accident Preventable?
  In this episode of Chicago Injury Alert, we look at whether increased stop signs and traffic lights can prevent future car accidents.
• Truck Accidents May Become More Likely If Congress Listens To Trucking Industry Lobbyists
  In this episode of Chicago Injury Alert, we look at the trucking industry’s involvement with Congress.