The biggest mistake of your life?
"This is the first job I've held where an 'off' day and a relatively minor mistake could potentially result in a prosecution."
The words of an iPM listener about her job as a pharmacist.
She emailed us, horrifed to hear that following an error in dispensing drugs. Our listener writes:
"Since this hit the news I've spoken with pharmacy colleagues and thought 'there but for the grace of God...'. At a pharmacy education night a few years ago we were asked to share errors we'd made to learn from each other - we were honest and supportive but most of us could have been prosecuted for what was essentially an uncharacteristic error.
Outside the pharmacy world I'm not sure that many people realise that an error in our profession could result in a criminal record."
In fact, she hadn't realised that she could be prosecuted, until this case arose and it's changed the way she sees her work.
Are you a pharmacist with similar concerns? Have you been dispensed the wrong drugs by a pharmacist? Or perhaps you work in a job where an 'off' day could have serious repercussions? Comment below or email us.
UPDATE 8 Jun: Thanks to everyone who contacted us, much appreciated and we're continuing to follow up on your comments.
We brought together the pharmacist who contacted us (above) and another iPM listener, Rose-Mary Gower. Rose-Mary's husband received double his usual dose of an epilepsy drug, but she was surprised by the response of her pharmacist when she pointed it out.
Listen to the discussion as it was broadcast on Saturdays programme (9. 54 mins)
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