Investigation into morphine mix-up to get underway: Alta. College of Pharmacists

CTV Edmonton: Probe planned after infant overdose The Alberta College of Pharmacists says an investigation will get underway after an infant was given too much morphine.

Days after a Sherwood Park family went public with their story of a prescription error that caused an infant to suffer an overdose, officials said changes have been made at the pharmacy where the mistake happened, and an investigation will begin this week.

When baby Asher was only a few weeks old he was prescribed morphine by his doctor, and his parents filled the prescription at the Dispensaries Limited pharmacy in south Edmonton.

Asher’s grandmother, Vera Smith, told CTV News over the weekend she immediately noticed problems after giving her grandson a dose – she said she sat down to feed Asher after giving him the medicine.

“Within about three suckles he started drooling, he wasn’t swallowing. His eyes rolled in the back of his head and his arms just fell back,” Smith said. “He went limp in my hands.”

The family called 911 immediately – the infant was taken to hospital where doctors confirmed it was an overdose.

“If the paramedics didn’t respond the way they did and do such a fantastic job I am 100 percent sure Asher wouldn’t be here,” Smith told CTV News Tuesday.

Later, officials found Asher was given the wrong compound in a concentrated amount by the pharmacist – he was given about 100 times the dose he should have.

The pharmacy said a pharmacist checked the prescription, an assistant filled it, and the pharmacist checked it again.

Since lawyers are involved, no one at the pharmacy spoke to CTV News on camera – but a pharmacist told CTV’s Carmen Leibel that a ‘big mistake’ was made, and staff at the pharmacy were devastated by what happened.

CTV News also learned a pharmacist went to the hospital to see the family as soon as they found out what had happened.

Now, the pharmacy said a second pharmacist check is now mandatory to fill ‘high-risk’ medication prescriptions, such as morphine.

Local pharmacist Hend Mohammadie said such incidents are rare – but human error does happen. She said people should question pharmacists about the medication and dose they’re receiving.

“In order to give it to you safely, it’s good to be knowledgeable about that drug, you need to know what you’re taking,” Mohammadie said.

As for the investigation, the registrar of the Alberta College of Pharmacists said it will determine if the pharmacists involved should be suspended.

At this time, the pharmacists under investigation are still able to work.

With files from Carmen Leibel