06/14/2025
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Public Safety Statement
Preventing Tragedy Through Parental Vigilance in Medication Safety
Recently, what could have been a near-tragic incident occurred involving a medication dispensing error at a Pharmacy, where a child was given the wrong prescription per parents. Fortunately, the mistake was identified before harm occurred—but the event serves as a powerful reminder of how critical it is for parents and caregivers to actively verify and question the medications their children receive. The article is available at People’s Parents site- tgis is just a screen shot.
Pharmacies and healthcare providers work diligently to ensure safety, but like all systems involving human oversight, errors can occur. Manufacturers may package medications similarly, and pharmacy staff—though well-intentioned—can make mistakes under pressure. This is why a second set of eyes, especially a parent’s, can be lifesaving.
We urge all parents to take the following precautions:
• Always verify the label: Check your child’s name, dosage, and medication name before leaving the pharmacy.
• Ask questions: If anything looks unfamiliar, don’t hesitate to ask the pharmacist to confirm the prescription.
• Inspect the medication: Note the color, shape, and any changes compared to previous prescriptions.
• Trust your instincts: If something feels off, it’s worth pausing to double-check. Your caution could prevent a tragedy.
This incident is a sobering example of how close calls can happen. Let it serve as an urgent reminder that vigilance is not paranoia—it is protection. Together, we can build a culture of medication safety, one careful moment at a time.
— Anissa Salerno, PMHNP
Mental Health Calmness
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