What should a pharmacy technician do upon discovering a medication error?

When a pharmacy technician discovers a medication error, the most appropriate action is to report the error and follow pharmacy protocol. This is critical for several reasons.

Firstly, reporting the error ensures that appropriate corrective measures are taken to prevent potential harm to the patient. A medication error can lead to significant health risks, and immediate reporting allows for the implementation of safety protocols to address the situation.

Secondly, following pharmacy protocol is essential as it provides a structured approach to managing medication errors. Pharmacies typically have established procedures that dictate how to handle such incidents, including notifying supervisors, potentially documenting the error, and reviewing the circumstances surrounding it to identify how the error occurred and how to prevent future occurrences.

This approach also promotes a culture of safety within the pharmacy. It encourages transparency and accountability, allowing for continuous improvement in pharmacy practices and reducing the likelihood of similar errors in the future.

Informing the patient immediately can be premature and may not align with the pharmacy's protocols, as it could lead to unnecessary alarm or confusion before a full assessment of the situation has been conducted. Archiving the error without disclosure undermines safety and learning opportunities, and trying to rectify the error without notifying anyone could exacerbate the situation and lead to further errors or harm. Therefore, adhering to the