Posted by ST on May 29, 2003, at 5:18:54
In reply to Re: My pharmacy gave me the wrong drug!, posted by dddiane on May 28, 2003, at 6:32:58
Wow..thank you for this...Where did you find this letter?
Thanks again,
Sarah
> I also agree that you should write some letters. This may have been an innocent error. But on the other hand it may indicate a serious problem with that pharmacy or with a pharmacist there.
>
> There was something in the news about Serzone/Seroquel switches and some very serious consequences. Below is a letter from Bristol Myers Sqibb:
>
> (And I agree too. The pharmacy was in error in asking you to drive. Is that insult to injury or what?)
>
> -------------------------------------
>
> December 9, 2002
>
>
> IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUIRED
> DISPENSING ERROR ALERT
>
>
> Dear Health Care Provider,
>
> Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca have received reports of prescription dispensing errors involving SERZONE® (nefazodone HCl) Tablets and SEROQUEL® (quetiapine fumarate) Tablets.
>
> According to the medication error reports, verbal and written prescriptions were incorrectly interpreted, labeled, and/or filled due to the similar names between SERZONE and SEROQUEL. Furthermore, the overlapping strengths (100 mg and 200 mg), the dosage form (tablets), the dosing interval (BID), and the fact that these two products are stocked close together in pharmacies were also critical in causing medication errors. Additionally, both drugs are generally titrated in similar increments to overlapping target ranges (see prescribing information).
>
> The error reports involve dispensing SERZONE Tablets when SEROQUEL Tablets were prescribed and the reverse scenario. Patients erroneously receiving either medication would be inadequately treated; control of schizophrenia symptoms may deteriorate in patients erroneously receiving SERZONE, while depression may worsen in patients inappropriately receiving SEROQUEL. In addition, patients may be placed at risk for adverse events.
>
> SERZONE is an antidepressant drug marketed as hexagonal tablets imprinted with “BMS” and the strength on one side and the identification code number on the other. The 100 mg (white) and 150 mg (peach) tablets are bisect scored on both tablet faces; the 50 mg (light pink), 200 mg (light yellow), and 250 mg (white) tablets are not scored.
>
> SEROQUEL is an antipsychotic drug marketed as round, biconvex film coated tablets identified with “SEROQUEL” and the strength on one side and plain on the other. The 25 mg tablets are peach-colored, the 100 mg tablets are yellow, and the 200 mg tablets are white.
>
> Bristol-Myers Squibb has developed a patient-information leaflet about SERZONE, which is being given to patients when prescriptions are filled. These leaflets will facilitate communication between you and your patients and help ensure that patients receive the correct medication. Please encourage your patients to make sure that the medication dispensed by the pharmacist matches the SERZONE picture card enclosed with this letter and the description of SERZONE tablets in the patient-information leaflet. Also,
> encourage your patients to be certain that the tablets they receive are imprinted with “BMS”.
>
> Additionally, certain packaging changes to both products have been implemented that highlight the endings of the product names. The revised SERZONE (nefazodone HCl) logo appears at the end of this letter. This should assist the dispenser in distinguishing the products.
>
> Recommended actions to help prevent dispensing errors
>
> If you become aware of a prescription dispensing error involving SERZONE or SEROQUEL,
> please contact one of the following:
>
> * USP Medication Errors Reporting Program (1-800-233-7767 or www.usp.org)
> * Institute for Safe Medicines Practice (www.ismp.org)
> * FDA MEDWATCH program (phone 1-800-FDA-1088, FAX 1-800-FDA-0178, Internet:
> www.fda.gov/medwatch or www.fda.gov/medwatch, or mail: FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787)
> * Bristol-Myers Squibb Company at 1 (609) 818-3737 [SERZONE]
> * AstraZeneca at 1 (800) 236-9933 [SEROQUEL]
>
>
> For additional information please contact:
>
> * Bristol-Myers Squibb Drug Information Department at 1 (800) 321-1335
> * AstraZeneca Information Center at 1 (800) 236-9933
>
>
> Thank you.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Darlene Jody, M.D.
> Vice President Global Medical Marketing
> Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
>
> PLEASE CONSULT THE ENCLOSED COMPLETE PRESCRIBING INFORMATION FOR SERZONE, INCLUDING BOXED WARNING REGARDING HEPATOTOXICITY.
>
>
> Return to 2003 Safety Summary
>
poster:ST
thread:229561
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030525/msgs/229886.html