Patients rely on the training and education of their friendly neighborhood pharmacist when getting their prescriptions filled. However, increasing pharmacy error rates are exposing the hidden wrongdoings of big chain retailers, causing concern for many patients. California pharmacies are estimated to make 5 million errors a year, without being required to report these life-threatening mistakes to state regulators. Investigations have revealed that most mistakes come from major chains such as CVS and Walgreens, which are overworking and understaffing their facilities. Profits and numbers are being prioritized before patient and employee wellbeing. These simple mistakes have dire consequences, with patients leaving with incorrect dosages, instructions, or prescriptions. A recent Los Angeles Times report tells the experiences of patients affected by these errors, stating:

“Some patients have continued to take and refill the prescriptions without knowing they received the wrong drug. A pharmacist … gave a patient another customer’s prescription for 50-milligram tablets of Zoloft, the antidepressant, according to a February citation. The person took the wrong drug for at least seven months, refilling the prescription three times.”

In the fight for increased accountability, the pharmacy board has sponsored a bill, AB 1286, requiring pharmacies to report each error to a third-party organization. These reports will allow the board to understand why these errors are occurring and how to prevent them. AB 1286 was approved by Governor Newsom on October 8, 2023. Medication accuracy and adherence are not obtainable through corporate shortcuts. A human-centered approach is essential to avoiding dangerous pharmacy errors.