Incorrect medication

[Angie140720]

I have just gone to open what should have been a sealed box of 56 ethosuximide tablets to find out it was already open and there was only 47 tablets inside. Some had already been used from the packet which is of little use to me as I use 4 a day so need an even number. Has this happened to anyone else and are the pharmacies allowed to give out other peoples medication to recycle it? The label says 56 so they clearly have not checked it either. Was not sure whether to make a fuss or not as they have previously also given me the wrong dose of epilim and I had to go back and I am only a few short but I only get just enough of the medication each month.

[GillyA]

Hi, occasionally pharmacies in the U.K. will open a box to manage a GP doing a prescription with a slightly different number of tablets to the normal box size. The easiest thing for you to do will probably be to return to the pharmacy. They (should). give you the additional tablets unlikely to change the box all together if the tablets are in foil sealed strips.

[Angie140720 in reply to GillyA]

Thank you, I have returned them back to the pharmacy and they have accidentally given me the box they use for dispensing rather than a full box. I now have a full box thankfully.

[milktrayman2 in reply to Angie140720]

Hi there, occasionally it goes wrong. The way I understand it is, Dr's surgery provides prescription to Chemist, they fulfill the prescription and the Pharmacist signs off as correct. I was once given a prescription from a different manufacturer, everything was signed off as correct, despite the prescription stating a manufacturer. Now I double-check before leaving the Chemist store. Not ideal, I know, however I feel better knowing all is correct.

[Angie140720 in reply to milktrayman2]

Hi thanks for your reply. I think you are right with how it works, I just didnt think to check the seal of the box wasnt broken but will do in future, I had assumed the pharmacist had done that bit. It looks like these things happen and we cant be too careful in checking our medication.