Is it a medication error?

[lactamase]

If I have given a different brand of medication to my patient. Does count as a medication error?

[iamnomad]

I believe you should have posted your topic to a different sub forum. Anyways, I'm sure the moderators will move this thread.

To answer your question, I think it will depend on your jurisdiction's law pertaining to such practice. But I think generally, it's okay as long as the generic name is the same.

When I order meds for my patient, I'll write the drug name as prescribed by the doctor. Example: Tylenol ES 500mg or Colace 100mg cap. Then the pharmacy will send the meds with label like: Acetaminophen, Docusate Sodium, etc with note saying example: *generic for Tylenol*. So it may or may not be Tylenol as is, but you know its still Acetaminophen. Or sometimes the family will bring their own meds with same generic but different brand name. So technically, at least from where I am, its legal and its ok.

The US Veterans Affair system I think is doing the same. I have a patient that when the doctor order something, the family will ask for the generic name coz the VA will generally cover if there's a generic.

[caliotter3]

It would only be a med error if the doctor specified the brand name in the prescription. Most orders indicate that generic or brand names can be used interchangeably by the fact that the order is written in the form: Generic name (brand name) rest of order. The doctor will normally write something like, "Use only brand name" or something similar as part of the order. There are meds that one is cautioned not to change brands abruptly. This info can usually be found in the medication books as a caution.

[MOS579]

If there was no restriction on the order, and the pharmacy filled the generic name when no specific instruction was given, It is not a medication error. If both brands have the same generic name word for word and is the same name as what was ordered by the physician, it is not a medication error.