After what happened to me yesterday, I wanted to send out a reminder to everyone to be extra careful and check your prescriptions after they are filled.

Gavyn had tubes put in his ears and his adenoids taken out yesterday. The Dr. then prescribed Ofloxacin Otic ear drops. The prescription was called in to a pharmacy, where they proceeded to fill the prescription properly...HOWEVER, they labeled the prescription incorrectly.

The instructions indicate that I should "Instill five drops into each EYE twice daily for 3 days." Each eye??? Because I knew what this prescription was for, I knew this was incorrect. Upon further investigation I found a bright red sticker on the box stating "For the Ear". The instructions included in the medication also stated it was not for use in the eyes.

All I could think about was what if I had taken him to a daycare or school? I believe these drops are sometimes used to clear up infections, so it would not be unheard of for a parent to drop this medication off with someone else to be administered by them. SCARY.

I've since contacted the pharmacy who has stated that corporate will be notified and the offending Pharmacist would be informed of the mistake. I've also contacted the State Attorney General because I feel this is too big a mistake to just sit by and trust the store will correct themselves.

Here's my pharmacy story...I am highly allergic to codeine. I had been using the same pharmacy for a decade and had made them aware from my first time there about my allergies. When I picked up an RX for a painkiller (pinched nerve in back) about two years ago, they had filled it using codeine. Good thing I (like you) checked the label, because the name was something that sounded like it had a codeine compound in it...sure enough, it did. I pointed it out to the pharmacist and she asked me, in a very condescending voice, "well, are you REALLY allergic, or does it just upset your tummy?" Like I'm a kid who had too much ice cream. And mind you, I was standing there is horrific pain from the pinched nerve in my back. To say I WENT OFF on her is an understatement. So not only could they have killed me with this prescription, but they were nasty about it when I pointed it out, to boot. A lot of people I know have had problems with this pharmacy.

I was actually really glad I caught the mistake too late to call the same evening and point it out to the staff on duty. I am pretty certain that the pharmacist I spoke with this morning was different than the one that filled the prescription. Maybe this way I'll be more likely to get results.

That is HORRIBLE! I am so sorry to hear that! But really, really glad that you caught it and informed the Attorney General about it. Remember the story about the little boy who died at Shands after a routine procedure; and those twins who were given WAY too much blood thinner. Sheesh! This is why it is so important to always second guess, always ask questions and NEVER feel intimidated just b/c someone is wearing scrubs or a white jacket.

Oh, and thanks so much for this very important reminder!