Watch Your Meds

Medication errors are rising-but these simple steps can help keep you safe 
BY BETH HOWARD

Pharmacy Foul-ups:

PREVENTION: One review of prescription  of errors found that 89 percent of reported mistakes were discovered during medication counseling offered at the drug counter and were corrected before patients left the store. So don't waive your right to such counseling, Conry says. Instead take the time to review your prescription with the pharmacist, look at the dosage and confirm that this is what you discussed with your doctor especially if it's a new prescription. If you're refilling a prescription, open the container before you leave the store and make sure it's the same pill you usually take. Medications can differ from refill to refill; the pharmacy may have switched to a generic that is a different color or shape but contains the same active ingredient. ''You have a right to ask the pharmacist if it's the right drug for your condition," says Frank Federico, RPh., vice chair of the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention, an independent body of  nearly 30 member organizations that promotes the reporting and prevention of medication errors.