CLEVELAND — Pharmacists across Ohio are now required to report prescription errors that harm or kill patients as a result of reckless behavior or unprofessional conduct.
The new reporting requirements became effective December 1, 2019 and followed an exclusive 5 On Your Side investigation earlier this year that uncovered prescription errors resulted in the deaths of at least two patients and harmed 31 others over the last four years.
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It also revealed that even pharmacists admit the number of prescription errors is vastly under-reported since reporting was strictly voluntary until the new reporting requirements went into effect.
The updated “Duty to Report Requirements” requires that an error in dispensing or medication error be reported to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy “if the error is the result of reckless behavior or unprofessional conduct” and meets any of five additional requirements, including patients' harm or death.
View the updated document here.
Failure to report errors could result in reprimand, suspension of license, required course work, monetary penalty and/or revocation of license.
