A pharmacy error brings elderly woman at risk: ‘It nearly killed her'

Content Warning: This article discusses a distressing fatal incident involving medical complications, hospitalisation, and severe health consequences. Reader discretion is advised.

It's heartbreaking to think of a mistake made in a medical setting proving fatal for a loved one, especially for a loving daughter watching helplessly as her mother’s health deteriorates.

The cause of this tragic turn of events, according to her, was a pharmacy error that led to her mother overdosing on her medication, a mistake that ‘nearly killed her’.



Maria, Lisa Carratelli’s 87-year-old mother, had been prescribed methotrexate.

Methotrexate is a potent chemotherapy drug used to treat various conditions, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, ectopic pregnancies, and rheumatoid arthritis, the latter being Maria's ailment.


compressed-pexels-anna-shvets-3845126.jpeg
An 87-year-old mother overdosed on a prescribed medicine due to a pharmacy error. Credit: Pexels



However, when Maria started feeling unwell and complaining due to a persistent sore throat, she was admitted to Maroondah Hospital in Victoria.

The doctors there grew alarmed after inspecting her Webster pack, a pre-packaged medication dispenser packed by pharmacists for patients with multiple medications.

Lisa said: ‘The hospital started questioning her medication and called the pharmacist.’

‘She was supposed to take two [tablets] once a week, but the pharmacy had packed the Webster packs with two tablets daily'.

This meant Maria was consuming seven times the prescribed amount.

A discharge document from Box Hill Hospital, where Maria was later transferred, indicated that she was suffering from 'methotrexate toxicity resulting in Mucositis with Pancytopenia'—a condition characterised by low levels of red blood cells.

'It burnt all inside of her mouth and down her throat. She was in hospital for quite a long time,' Lisa continued.

'Then she ended up in rehab for months before we had to put her in a nursing home because she's not been able to recover.'



In addition to the internal burns, Maria also lost her hair, a common side effect of chemotherapy. Now, the 87-year-old is 'very fragile,' a devastated Lisa said, convinced 'the pharmacist nearly killed her'.

The pharmacist, who happened to be their family friend from a Melbourne suburb, allegedly apologised after he knew what had happened but claimed it wasn't he who had made the pack.

He allegedly sent the family 'a big bunch of flowers'—but Lisa hadn’t heard from him since.

Lisa reached out to several solicitors, hoping to pursue the case to ensure no other families suffered the same fate.

'They keep saying, because of her age, that there was nothing that they could do for us,' she said.

She also reported the incident to the Pharmacy Board of Australia but was told the same thing.



Lisa reached out to the media after learning about an Aussie mum Jessica Smith, whose toddler overdosed on his epilepsy medication after a pharmacy committed an error on the prescription.

She's now advocating for it to be mandatory for all prescriptions to be checked by two pharmacists, instead of one, before being handed out.

Currently, in Australia, it is understood that two pharmacists are not required for the dispensing of medicines. The individual pharmacist determines the use of a double-checking process for dispensing.

'I'm not after any money or anything. I just want it not to happen to someone else,' Lisa said more than a year after the incident.

'I want to help people to understand why they should always check the medication and not just trust the pharmacist.’



A spokesperson for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency said, 'When dispensing medicines, pharmacists should be guided by professional practice standards, the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct and guidelines for pharmacists including:
  • Guidelines for dispensing of medicines
  • Guidelines on dose administration aid and staged supply of dispensed medicines
Lisa's dad, a pensioner, is forced to cover the cost of his wife's care.

'When you're on a pension, they don't really get a great deal [of money],' she said.

Lisa admitted that the situation ‘could have been worse', but she is thankful her mother's alive, with the fact that 'she could have died'.

'As they get older, it doesn't mean that they just get pushed aside,' she said.



While taking medications can speed up our recoveries, too much of something can be dangerous. In a previous story, a husband shared the story about his late beloved wife, who took a prescribed drug for weight loss.

The initial results turned out promising, but the following incidents turned out to be the most heartbreaking situation he would ever experience. Read more about it here.

Key Takeaways

  • Lisa Carratelli reports that her mother's health severely deteriorated due to a mistake by a pharmacist who had been providing her medication.
  • The 87-year-old was prescribed methotrexate for her rheumatoid arthritis. However, she was mistakenly given two tablets to take daily rather than weekly, resulting in a toxic overdose.
  • Lisa alleged that the pharmacist apologised to them but claimed he was not responsible for packing the medication.
  • She is campaigning for all prescriptions to be checked by two pharmacists before dispensing and urges people to double-check their medication themselves, as well.
Members, always double-check your medication and dosage when you receive it, and don't hesitate to ask questions from your GP if something doesn't seem right. Remember, it's your health on the line, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Have you or a loved one ever experienced a pharmacy error? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
 
Last edited:
Sponsored
Content Warning: This article discusses a distressing fatal incident involving medical complications, hospitalisation, and severe health consequences. Reader discretion is advised.

It's heartbreaking to think of a mistake made in a medical setting proving fatal for a loved one, especially for a loving daughter watching helplessly as her mother’s health deteriorates.

The cause of this tragic turn of events, according to her, was a pharmacy error that led to her mother overdosing on her medication, a mistake that ‘nearly killed her’.

.

Maria, Lisa Carratelli’s 87-year-old mother, had been prescribed methotrexate.

Methotrexate is a potent chemotherapy drug used to treat various conditions, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, ectopic pregnancies, and rheumatoid arthritis, the latter being Maria's ailment.


View attachment 36204
An 87-year-old mother overdosed on a prescribed medicine due to a pharmacy error. Credit: Pexels



However, when Maria started feeling unwell and complaining due to a persistent sore throat, she was admitted to Maroondah Hospital in Victoria.

The doctors there grew alarmed after inspecting her Webster pack, a pre-packaged medication dispenser packed by pharmacists for patients with multiple medications.

Lisa said: ‘The hospital started questioning her medication and called the pharmacist.’

‘She was supposed to take two [tablets] once a week, but the pharmacy had packed the Webster packs with two tablets daily'.

This meant Maria was consuming seven times the prescribed amount.

A discharge document from Box Hill Hospital, where Maria was later transferred, indicated that she was suffering from 'methotrexate toxicity resulting in Mucositis with Pancytopenia'—a condition characterised by low levels of red blood cells.

'It burnt all inside of her mouth and down her throat. She was in hospital for quite a long time,' Lisa continued.

'Then she ended up in rehab for months before we had to put her in a nursing home because she's not been able to recover.'



In addition to the internal burns, Maria also lost her hair, a common side effect of chemotherapy. Now, the 87-year-old is 'very fragile,' a devastated Lisa said, convinced 'the pharmacist nearly killed her'.

The pharmacist, who happened to be their family friend from a Melbourne suburb, allegedly apologised after he knew what had happened but claimed it wasn't he who had made the pack.

He allegedly sent the family 'a big bunch of flowers'—but Lisa hadn’t heard from him since.

Lisa reached out to several solicitors, hoping to pursue the case to ensure no other families suffered the same fate.

'They keep saying, because of her age, that there was nothing that they could do for us,' she said.

She also reported the incident to the Pharmacy Board of Australia but was told the same thing.



Lisa reached out to the media after learning about an Aussie mum Jessica Smith, whose toddler overdosed on his epilepsy medication after a pharmacy committed an error on the prescription.

She's now advocating for it to be mandatory for all prescriptions to be checked by two pharmacists, instead of one, before being handed out.

Currently, in Australia, it is understood that two pharmacists are not required for the dispensing of medicines. The individual pharmacist determines the use of a double-checking process for dispensing.

'I'm not after any money or anything. I just want it not to happen to someone else,' Lisa said more than a year after the incident.

'I want to help people to understand why they should always check the medication and not just trust the pharmacist.’



A spokesperson for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency said, 'When dispensing medicines, pharmacists should be guided by professional practice standards, the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct and guidelines for pharmacists including:
  • Guidelines for dispensing of medicines
  • Guidelines on dose administration aid and staged supply of dispensed medicines
Lisa's dad, a pensioner, is forced to cover the cost of his wife's care.

'When you're on a pension, they don't really get a great deal [of money],' she said.

Lisa admitted that the situation ‘could have been worse', but she is thankful her mother's alive, with the fact that 'she could have died'.

'As they get older, it doesn't mean that they just get pushed aside,' she said.



While taking medications can speed up our recoveries, too much of something can be dangerous. In a previous story, a husband shared the story about his late beloved wife, who took a prescribed drug for weight loss.

The initial results turned out promising, but the following incidents turned out to be the most heartbreaking situation he would ever experience. Read more about it here.

Key Takeaways

  • Lisa Carratelli reports that her mother's health severely deteriorated due to a mistake by a pharmacist who had been providing her medication.
  • The 87-year-old was prescribed methotrexate for her rheumatoid arthritis. However, she was mistakenly given two tablets to take daily rather than weekly, resulting in a toxic overdose.
  • Lisa alleged that the pharmacist apologised to them but claimed he was not responsible for packing the medication.
  • She is campaigning for all prescriptions to be checked by two pharmacists before dispensing and urges people to double-check their medication themselves, as well.
Members, always double-check your medication and dosage when you receive it, and don't hesitate to ask questions from your GP if something doesn't seem right. Remember, it's your health on the line, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Have you or a loved one ever experienced a pharmacy error? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
And this dopey government has given more power to the pill pushers!!!
 
A few months ago my mother couldn't stay awake and kept feeling nauseous.
I asked was she eating anything different ? Had she taken new pills ect .
Then my brother took her Webster pack back to the chemist as he realised there was a different coloured Capsule in there which he thought was just a different brand or something as this has happened before.
After taking it back we were shocked to find the Capsule was the right name but it was 2 in one and alot stronger. They apologised and gave a new Webster pack.
I told both my mother and brother ( who looks after her ) they should go back to the old method of the tablet bottles and put them in tablet containers themselves.

She also pays $5 to have these Webster packs made .
 
A few months ago my mother couldn't stay awake and kept feeling nauseous.
I asked was she eating anything different ? Had she taken new pills ect .
Then my brother took her Webster pack back to the chemist as he realised there was a different coloured Capsule in there which he thought was just a different brand or something as this has happened before.
After taking it back we were shocked to find the Capsule was the right name but it was 2 in one and alot stronger. They apologised and gave a new Webster pack.
I told both my mother and brother ( who looks after her ) they should go back to the old method of the tablet bottles and put them in tablet containers themselves.

She also pays $5 to have these Webster packs made .
I do mine weekly, I'm afraid I don't anyone to do my pills.
 
A few months ago my mother couldn't stay awake and kept feeling nauseous.
I asked was she eating anything different ? Had she taken new pills ect .
Then my brother took her Webster pack back to the chemist as he realised there was a different coloured Capsule in there which he thought was just a different brand or something as this has happened before.
After taking it back we were shocked to find the Capsule was the right name but it was 2 in one and alot stronger. They apologised and gave a new Webster pack.
I told both my mother and brother ( who looks after her ) they should go back to the old method of the tablet bottles and put them in tablet containers themselves.

She also pays $5 to have these Webster packs made .
Individual choice, can request to have the full bottle rather than the Webster pack.
 
And this dopey government has given more power to the pill pushers!!!
Governments in this country (irrespective of their side of the fence) are damned if they do, damned if they don't. The cost of living is a continuous story on this site and others, cost of TAXPAYER SUBSIDISED drugs should be delivered at the BEST possible price to those that foot the bill, the over taxed citizens of this country.
 
I also have a Webster Pack and find it very useful, I have to take 6 medications but check they are the right ones every morning, I think the $5 fee for packing his reasonable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: magpie1 and AlanQ
Content Warning: This article discusses a distressing fatal incident involving medical complications, hospitalisation, and severe health consequences. Reader discretion is advised.

It's heartbreaking to think of a mistake made in a medical setting proving fatal for a loved one, especially for a loving daughter watching helplessly as her mother’s health deteriorates.

The cause of this tragic turn of events, according to her, was a pharmacy error that led to her mother overdosing on her medication, a mistake that ‘nearly killed her’.

.

Maria, Lisa Carratelli’s 87-year-old mother, had been prescribed methotrexate.

Methotrexate is a potent chemotherapy drug used to treat various conditions, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, ectopic pregnancies, and rheumatoid arthritis, the latter being Maria's ailment.


View attachment 36204
An 87-year-old mother overdosed on a prescribed medicine due to a pharmacy error. Credit: Pexels



However, when Maria started feeling unwell and complaining due to a persistent sore throat, she was admitted to Maroondah Hospital in Victoria.

The doctors there grew alarmed after inspecting her Webster pack, a pre-packaged medication dispenser packed by pharmacists for patients with multiple medications.

Lisa said: ‘The hospital started questioning her medication and called the pharmacist.’

‘She was supposed to take two [tablets] once a week, but the pharmacy had packed the Webster packs with two tablets daily'.

This meant Maria was consuming seven times the prescribed amount.

A discharge document from Box Hill Hospital, where Maria was later transferred, indicated that she was suffering from 'methotrexate toxicity resulting in Mucositis with Pancytopenia'—a condition characterised by low levels of red blood cells.

'It burnt all inside of her mouth and down her throat. She was in hospital for quite a long time,' Lisa continued.

'Then she ended up in rehab for months before we had to put her in a nursing home because she's not been able to recover.'



In addition to the internal burns, Maria also lost her hair, a common side effect of chemotherapy. Now, the 87-year-old is 'very fragile,' a devastated Lisa said, convinced 'the pharmacist nearly killed her'.

The pharmacist, who happened to be their family friend from a Melbourne suburb, allegedly apologised after he knew what had happened but claimed it wasn't he who had made the pack.

He allegedly sent the family 'a big bunch of flowers'—but Lisa hadn’t heard from him since.

Lisa reached out to several solicitors, hoping to pursue the case to ensure no other families suffered the same fate.

'They keep saying, because of her age, that there was nothing that they could do for us,' she said.

She also reported the incident to the Pharmacy Board of Australia but was told the same thing.



Lisa reached out to the media after learning about an Aussie mum Jessica Smith, whose toddler overdosed on his epilepsy medication after a pharmacy committed an error on the prescription.

She's now advocating for it to be mandatory for all prescriptions to be checked by two pharmacists, instead of one, before being handed out.

Currently, in Australia, it is understood that two pharmacists are not required for the dispensing of medicines. The individual pharmacist determines the use of a double-checking process for dispensing.

'I'm not after any money or anything. I just want it not to happen to someone else,' Lisa said more than a year after the incident.

'I want to help people to understand why they should always check the medication and not just trust the pharmacist.’



A spokesperson for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency said, 'When dispensing medicines, pharmacists should be guided by professional practice standards, the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct and guidelines for pharmacists including:
  • Guidelines for dispensing of medicines
  • Guidelines on dose administration aid and staged supply of dispensed medicines
Lisa's dad, a pensioner, is forced to cover the cost of his wife's care.

'When you're on a pension, they don't really get a great deal [of money],' she said.

Lisa admitted that the situation ‘could have been worse', but she is thankful her mother's alive, with the fact that 'she could have died'.

'As they get older, it doesn't mean that they just get pushed aside,' she said.



While taking medications can speed up our recoveries, too much of something can be dangerous. In a previous story, a husband shared the story about his late beloved wife, who took a prescribed drug for weight loss.

The initial results turned out promising, but the following incidents turned out to be the most heartbreaking situation he would ever experience. Read more about it here.

Key Takeaways

  • Lisa Carratelli reports that her mother's health severely deteriorated due to a mistake by a pharmacist who had been providing her medication.
  • The 87-year-old was prescribed methotrexate for her rheumatoid arthritis. However, she was mistakenly given two tablets to take daily rather than weekly, resulting in a toxic overdose.
  • Lisa alleged that the pharmacist apologised to them but claimed he was not responsible for packing the medication.
  • She is campaigning for all prescriptions to be checked by two pharmacists before dispensing and urges people to double-check their medication themselves, as well.
Members, always double-check your medication and dosage when you receive it, and don't hesitate to ask questions from your GP if something doesn't seem right. Remember, it's your health on the line, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Have you or a loved one ever experienced a pharmacy error? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
Personal opinion, whilst the pharmacist or the doctor in the first place didn't get it right for the dose, I think maybe if there are family around they should be checking the prescription against what is in the pack. I know I don't but we still don't take much and don't have Webster packs. Perhaps the old saying buyer beware is appropriate in this situation. Still think someone should take it all to task on their behalf
 
Content Warning: This article discusses a distressing fatal incident involving medical complications, hospitalisation, and severe health consequences. Reader discretion is advised.

It's heartbreaking to think of a mistake made in a medical setting proving fatal for a loved one, especially for a loving daughter watching helplessly as her mother’s health deteriorates.

The cause of this tragic turn of events, according to her, was a pharmacy error that led to her mother overdosing on her medication, a mistake that ‘nearly killed her’.

.

Maria, Lisa Carratelli’s 87-year-old mother, had been prescribed methotrexate.

Methotrexate is a potent chemotherapy drug used to treat various conditions, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, ectopic pregnancies, and rheumatoid arthritis, the latter being Maria's ailment.


View attachment 36204
An 87-year-old mother overdosed on a prescribed medicine due to a pharmacy error. Credit: Pexels



However, when Maria started feeling unwell and complaining due to a persistent sore throat, she was admitted to Maroondah Hospital in Victoria.

The doctors there grew alarmed after inspecting her Webster pack, a pre-packaged medication dispenser packed by pharmacists for patients with multiple medications.

Lisa said: ‘The hospital started questioning her medication and called the pharmacist.’

‘She was supposed to take two [tablets] once a week, but the pharmacy had packed the Webster packs with two tablets daily'.

This meant Maria was consuming seven times the prescribed amount.

A discharge document from Box Hill Hospital, where Maria was later transferred, indicated that she was suffering from 'methotrexate toxicity resulting in Mucositis with Pancytopenia'—a condition characterised by low levels of red blood cells.

'It burnt all inside of her mouth and down her throat. She was in hospital for quite a long time,' Lisa continued.

'Then she ended up in rehab for months before we had to put her in a nursing home because she's not been able to recover.'



In addition to the internal burns, Maria also lost her hair, a common side effect of chemotherapy. Now, the 87-year-old is 'very fragile,' a devastated Lisa said, convinced 'the pharmacist nearly killed her'.

The pharmacist, who happened to be their family friend from a Melbourne suburb, allegedly apologised after he knew what had happened but claimed it wasn't he who had made the pack.

He allegedly sent the family 'a big bunch of flowers'—but Lisa hadn’t heard from him since.

Lisa reached out to several solicitors, hoping to pursue the case to ensure no other families suffered the same fate.

'They keep saying, because of her age, that there was nothing that they could do for us,' she said.

She also reported the incident to the Pharmacy Board of Australia but was told the same thing.



Lisa reached out to the media after learning about an Aussie mum Jessica Smith, whose toddler overdosed on his epilepsy medication after a pharmacy committed an error on the prescription.

She's now advocating for it to be mandatory for all prescriptions to be checked by two pharmacists, instead of one, before being handed out.

Currently, in Australia, it is understood that two pharmacists are not required for the dispensing of medicines. The individual pharmacist determines the use of a double-checking process for dispensing.

'I'm not after any money or anything. I just want it not to happen to someone else,' Lisa said more than a year after the incident.

'I want to help people to understand why they should always check the medication and not just trust the pharmacist.’



A spokesperson for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency said, 'When dispensing medicines, pharmacists should be guided by professional practice standards, the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct and guidelines for pharmacists including:
  • Guidelines for dispensing of medicines
  • Guidelines on dose administration aid and staged supply of dispensed medicines
Lisa's dad, a pensioner, is forced to cover the cost of his wife's care.

'When you're on a pension, they don't really get a great deal [of money],' she said.

Lisa admitted that the situation ‘could have been worse', but she is thankful her mother's alive, with the fact that 'she could have died'.

'As they get older, it doesn't mean that they just get pushed aside,' she said.



While taking medications can speed up our recoveries, too much of something can be dangerous. In a previous story, a husband shared the story about his late beloved wife, who took a prescribed drug for weight loss.

The initial results turned out promising, but the following incidents turned out to be the most heartbreaking situation he would ever experience. Read more about it here.

Key Takeaways

  • Lisa Carratelli reports that her mother's health severely deteriorated due to a mistake by a pharmacist who had been providing her medication.
  • The 87-year-old was prescribed methotrexate for her rheumatoid arthritis. However, she was mistakenly given two tablets to take daily rather than weekly, resulting in a toxic overdose.
  • Lisa alleged that the pharmacist apologised to them but claimed he was not responsible for packing the medication.
  • She is campaigning for all prescriptions to be checked by two pharmacists before dispensing and urges people to double-check their medication themselves, as well.
Members, always double-check your medication and dosage when you receive it, and don't hesitate to ask questions from your GP if something doesn't seem right. Remember, it's your health on the line, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Have you or a loved one ever experienced a pharmacy error? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
i was on this drug back in april 2017 for rheumatoid and I ended up with Non hodgkins lymphoma Nov.2017. This poor lady, what a mess. I do not have blister packs, I do my own.
 
i was on this drug back in april 2017 for rheumatoid and I ended up with Non hodgkins lymphoma Nov.2017. This poor lady, what a mess. I do not have blister packs, I do my own.
Been on methotrexate for psoriatic arthritis for over 25 years. Had resisted filling the script for awhile, (knowing the potential dangers of this drug), but my quality of life was deteriorating rapidly so I gave in. So far, so good….
I wish you well with your health battle Jest. ❤️
 
In the 20 years of working in the disability sector and administering tens of thousands of individual medications in this time, this occurrence is more common than you think. A 17 year old assistant usually packs the Webster packs, not a registered pharmacist themselves.

I am currently on nine different medications and I pack my own into a Dosette box on a weekly basis. A pain in the arse but at least I know it's correct. The only problem is dropping one of the little buggers and they ALWAYS roll under some furniture!
 
In the 20 years of working in the disability sector and administering tens of thousands of individual medications in this time, this occurrence is more common than you think. A 17 year old assistant usually packs the Webster packs, not a registered pharmacist themselves.

I am currently on nine different medications and I pack my own into a Dosette box on a weekly basis. A pain in the arse but at least I know it's correct. The only problem is dropping one of the little buggers and they ALWAYS roll under some furniture!
Your last two sentences could have been written by me! 😉 Good health to you a Veggiepatch.
 
Content Warning: This article discusses a distressing fatal incident involving medical complications, hospitalisation, and severe health consequences. Reader discretion is advised.

It's heartbreaking to think of a mistake made in a medical setting proving fatal for a loved one, especially for a loving daughter watching helplessly as her mother’s health deteriorates.

The cause of this tragic turn of events, according to her, was a pharmacy error that led to her mother overdosing on her medication, a mistake that ‘nearly killed her’.



Maria, Lisa Carratelli’s 87-year-old mother, had been prescribed methotrexate.

Methotrexate is a potent chemotherapy drug used to treat various conditions, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, ectopic pregnancies, and rheumatoid arthritis, the latter being Maria's ailment.


View attachment 36204
An 87-year-old mother overdosed on a prescribed medicine due to a pharmacy error. Credit: Pexels



However, when Maria started feeling unwell and complaining due to a persistent sore throat, she was admitted to Maroondah Hospital in Victoria.

The doctors there grew alarmed after inspecting her Webster pack, a pre-packaged medication dispenser packed by pharmacists for patients with multiple medications.

Lisa said: ‘The hospital started questioning her medication and called the pharmacist.’

‘She was supposed to take two [tablets] once a week, but the pharmacy had packed the Webster packs with two tablets daily'.

This meant Maria was consuming seven times the prescribed amount.

A discharge document from Box Hill Hospital, where Maria was later transferred, indicated that she was suffering from 'methotrexate toxicity resulting in Mucositis with Pancytopenia'—a condition characterised by low levels of red blood cells.

'It burnt all inside of her mouth and down her throat. She was in hospital for quite a long time,' Lisa continued.

'Then she ended up in rehab for months before we had to put her in a nursing home because she's not been able to recover.'



In addition to the internal burns, Maria also lost her hair, a common side effect of chemotherapy. Now, the 87-year-old is 'very fragile,' a devastated Lisa said, convinced 'the pharmacist nearly killed her'.

The pharmacist, who happened to be their family friend from a Melbourne suburb, allegedly apologised after he knew what had happened but claimed it wasn't he who had made the pack.

He allegedly sent the family 'a big bunch of flowers'—but Lisa hadn’t heard from him since.

Lisa reached out to several solicitors, hoping to pursue the case to ensure no other families suffered the same fate.

'They keep saying, because of her age, that there was nothing that they could do for us,' she said.

She also reported the incident to the Pharmacy Board of Australia but was told the same thing.



Lisa reached out to the media after learning about an Aussie mum Jessica Smith, whose toddler overdosed on his epilepsy medication after a pharmacy committed an error on the prescription.

She's now advocating for it to be mandatory for all prescriptions to be checked by two pharmacists, instead of one, before being handed out.

Currently, in Australia, it is understood that two pharmacists are not required for the dispensing of medicines. The individual pharmacist determines the use of a double-checking process for dispensing.

'I'm not after any money or anything. I just want it not to happen to someone else,' Lisa said more than a year after the incident.

'I want to help people to understand why they should always check the medication and not just trust the pharmacist.’



A spokesperson for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency said, 'When dispensing medicines, pharmacists should be guided by professional practice standards, the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct and guidelines for pharmacists including:
  • Guidelines for dispensing of medicines
  • Guidelines on dose administration aid and staged supply of dispensed medicines
Lisa's dad, a pensioner, is forced to cover the cost of his wife's care.

'When you're on a pension, they don't really get a great deal [of money],' she said.

Lisa admitted that the situation ‘could have been worse', but she is thankful her mother's alive, with the fact that 'she could have died'.

'As they get older, it doesn't mean that they just get pushed aside,' she said.



While taking medications can speed up our recoveries, too much of something can be dangerous. In a previous story, a husband shared the story about his late beloved wife, who took a prescribed drug for weight loss.

The initial results turned out promising, but the following incidents turned out to be the most heartbreaking situation he would ever experience. Read more about it here.

Key Takeaways

  • Lisa Carratelli reports that her mother's health severely deteriorated due to a mistake by a pharmacist who had been providing her medication.
  • The 87-year-old was prescribed methotrexate for her rheumatoid arthritis. However, she was mistakenly given two tablets to take daily rather than weekly, resulting in a toxic overdose.
  • Lisa alleged that the pharmacist apologised to them but claimed he was not responsible for packing the medication.
  • She is campaigning for all prescriptions to be checked by two pharmacists before dispensing and urges people to double-check their medication themselves, as well.
Members, always double-check your medication and dosage when you receive it, and don't hesitate to ask questions from your GP if something doesn't seem right. Remember, it's your health on the line, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Have you or a loved one ever experienced a pharmacy error? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
That is why at 73 I do my own preparing a week ahead. I have twice nearly been knocked off my perch a couple of times by hospital doctors prescribing the wrong medication for me. The last one left me with a bleed on the brain. The hospital didn't find this, my GP did who sent me for a head scan. Now I stand my ground.
 
That is why at 73 I do my own preparing a week ahead. I have twice nearly been knocked off my perch a couple of times by hospital doctors prescribing the wrong medication for me. The last one left me with a bleed on the brain. The hospital didn't find this, my GP did who sent me for a head scan. Now I stand my ground.
As long as we’re of sound mind, I believe it’s best to organise our daily meds ahead of time too. Been doing that for many years now and it’s just part of my routine. ☺️
 
Yes, it happens even in the hospitals when they administer. Should always be a two person check. we are all human and can make mistakes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: marni and DLHM
It happened to my little dog at the Vets. They prescribed and packed the wrong amount of Prednisone for a 3.5kg little dog. If I wasn't a nurse and had experience, I would have given that to her. When I rang and told them they said, oh just bring it back, what if I had killed my little dog.
It's not good enough, always check your meds, all the Nursing homes use blister packs as they are now given by cert 4 carers not RN's.
 
  • Sad
Reactions: marni and Knell

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else

Latest Articles

  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×