Prescription Errors Rising

There are as many as 7,000 deaths annually in the United States from incorrect prescriptions, according to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The same organization estimates that as many as 5 percent of the 3 billion prescriptions filled each year are incorrect.
With the number of prescriptions expected to climb to 4 billion this year and the number of pharmacists steadily decreasing, there are bound to be "problems down the road," according to one expert.
What You Can Do It's not easy for consumers to protect themselves against such errors, but there are steps you can take:
1. Read the prescription your doctor gives you aloud. Ask the physician to confirm it.
2. Verify the dosages and drug names with your doctor.
3. Before going to the pharmacy, write down the dosage and drug names.
4. Go to a reputable pharmacy, one that has more than a single pharmacist working with clerk and technician helpers. You can contact your state pharmacy board for information. Some will tell you if a pharmacist has been disciplined in the past.
5. When you pick up the prescription, check the labels and make sure the dosages and drug names match what you have written down.
These steps are not foolproof but they're a good start.