Risks of Legal Entanglement: Cautions Cases & Counteractions- Pharmacy Technician

Fortunately for pharmacists, we are not sued as often as other professionals, particularly as individuals. Pharmacists are considerably more likely to face board of pharmacy challenges and actions than malpractice lawsuits, according to a major insurer of pharmacists. Liability insurance for employed pharmacists costs well under $200 per year, reflecting the relatively low risk of lawsuits that pharmacists face. However, certain situations place pharmacists at a higher risk of being sued for malpractice and lead to serious patient harm – particularly in older patients and children. Such suits, even if the pharmacist is insured against malpractice, may lead to profound personal regret, reputational damage, and potential restriction, loss of license, or even criminal conviction. The good news for pharmacists is that it is possible to learn from the misfortunes of others. Reviewing recent lawsuits against pharmacists reveals that there are known ways and resources to reduce your exposure to legal lament, and assure that you are providing the best possible patient care. In this issue, we will discover that the following are recurring themes in lawsuits against pharmacists: • High-alert medications • Long-acting opioids • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome • Unusual and off-label prescribing • Excessive refills