this is extremely unfortunate
i do definitely agree that a LOT of stress is placed on the pharmacist, there have been times i worked full day (13 hour) shifts with no break (because by law pharmacist cant leave while pharmacy is open). i worked at a fairly busy store when i worked full time and it definitely gets crazy sometimes. I think something should be done about this, like more technician support. Unfortunately, these companies are in it for the money too and like to operate at the bottom line in terms of help. its one of the (many) reasons i decided to go back to school....i couldnt imagine doing that forever.
however, i will say that technology does make a difference when it comes to pharmacy errors. When i first started as an intern (about 6 years ago i think), the way the system was set up left a lot more room for error compared to how it is now (at least in the bigger chain drug stores). there are physical checks to ensure accuracy, like scanning prescription images so that even when refilling a medication, the pharmacist can verify the drug being given is what the doctor intended. Most places also scan prescription labels and stock bottles to make sure the right med is going into the right bottle. at the company i work for, no prescription can be sold without the pharmacist verifying it using a biometric scan of their fingerprint. Also, soon all prescriptions will have to be typed rather than hand written by doctors and this will also be helpful in eliminating errors because of sloppy handwriting.
but the bottom line is...humans arent perfect and mistakes are going to happen. You just have to hope that when a mistake does happen its caught before any harm is done.
oh, and when the pharmacist is busy checking a prescription/on the phone with a doctor/counseling a patient, dont interrupt him/her to ask where the milk is and why we dont have the bird feeder thats in the sales ad...thanks.
