Dear Dr. Garner,
I was recently reading about children who got the wrong pills from the pharmacy.
Apparently they got cancer medication instead of the fluoride pills for their teeth.
Between my husband and myself, we take about 12 pills a day.
How can we make sure we get the right pills? This is really scary.
Bitter Pill to Swallow
In Sunset Park

Dear Bitter Pill,
It was a very unfortunate situation that occurred in a reputable pharmacy in Chatham, New Jersey.
The wrong pills (breast cancer medication) were given to children for two months. This was instead of fluoride pills for their teeth.
Thankfully the odds are very low that an adverse reaction will occur in these children. It is important, however, to use this situation to prevent a deadly mix-up that could occur.
I have composed a list of ways to assure you of getting the correct pills.
As we have lost touch with our neighborhood pharmacist, due to proliferation of large drug stores, it is more important than ever to ask questions and take nothing for granted.

Here are 10 things you can do to stay safe:
1. Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions of your pharmacist.  Part of that person’s job is to be a consultant.
2. Open the bag and look at the bottles or boxes that the pills come in. If anything looks different, or you don’t understand something, speak up.
3. Show the pills to the pharmacist before leaving.
4. Always understand the drug’s purpose.  Find out benefits and potential problems by asking your doctor and/or your pharmacist.
5. Stick to one pharmacy. They will have a complete list of your medications that you can review with them. You will feel more comfortable asking questions.
6. When you bring in your prescription, carry a complete list of all the medications you are taking, and ask the pharmacist to see if it matches his list. You should also include over-the-counter medications.
7. When you get your pills check to see that the directions are the same as what your doctor told you.
8. Ask your pharmacist about potential food, drug, and alcohol interactions.
9. Ask your doctor if you should be taking any lab test to see how the medications are affecting you. This may include liver tests for people taking Lipitor, or digitalis blood levels, for those taking Digoxin.
10. You can use the Internet to view a picture of your pill and any inscription on it. A website, such as www.rxlist.com/pill-identification-tool/article, is a good example.

In addition to the above, ask your pharmacist about generic equivalent medications. They will look different from the brand name pill, but most times will offer the same result at a cheaper price. Many patients are required by their insurance companies to use mail-order pharmacies. Make full use of the consultative services offered by these companies. Once again, don’t be hesitant to call your pharmacist or insurance company if you have a question.
There will be more medication errors this year. You do not have to be a victim. The key is to become an informed patient. Know what medications you take and why you take them. I frequently have patients lament the fact that the time they have to spend with their doctor each visit is less and less.
By being organized, you can make the most of your doctor office visit. And remember that your local pharmacist is an excellent back-up for any questions you might have.
I hope this helps allay most of your anxieties about medication errors.
Until next week, be well.[hr] Dr. Steven Garner is a Fidelis Care provider who is affiliated with New York Methodist Hospital, Park Slope. He also hosts “Ask the Doctor” on The NET, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Channel 97 Time Warner and Channel 30 Cablevision.