Pharmacists fill thousands of prescriptions every day. Sometimes human error can creep into the system. When an incorrect prescription is provided to a patient, this is labeled as a mis-fill. Prescription errors of this nature can happen for multiple reasons.

Handwriting errors, transcription errors, and substitution errors where one prescription drug is confused for another completely different drug based on minor spelling changes in drug names are all too common. For example, there is a water pill with a name very similar to that of a muscle relaxer. Prescriptions doctors call in over the phone can add a level of confusion, as the doctor may be misunderstood by the pharmacists.

Fortunately, pharmacists have checks and balances in place to catch a lot of these similarly named prescription errors before they become a huge problem. Products with similar names are isolated and pharmacists receive a reminder to double-check before filling.

Additional preventative action pharmacies take against mis-fills include the use of different fonts for certain medications and to only dose in milliliters for liquids and milligrams per kilogram for solids.

Patients can also take preventative action to protect themselves from harm. If the medicine is something you don't normally take, double check the drug and dosage with your doctor's office.  Also, don't hesitate to ask your pharmacist straight out if you have questions about the medication you're receiving.

Even with preventative steps in place, prescription errors still occur. If properly reported and pursued, consequences for pharmacists can range from license revocation to the requirement of additional education.

Source: NBC 2 News "Prescription mix-ups" 6/14/10