How to Prevent Medication Mislabeling Risks in Hospital Pharmacies

Overview of the Risk

On March 13, 2025, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories issued a nationwide recall of Levetiracetam in 0.75% Sodium Chloride Injection due to mislabeling of the infusion bag. Medication mislabeling poses serious patient safety risks, including incorrect dosing, adverse drug reactions, and potential medical errors in hospital pharmacies.

Why Medication Mislabeling is a Critical Issue

Hospital pharmacies face severe consequences when medication mislabeling occurs, including:

• Patient Harm & Safety Risks – Incorrectly labeled medications can lead to overdosing, underdosing, or administration of the wrong drug.

• Regulatory & Legal Consequences – Hospitals may face FDA violations, malpractice claims, and Joint Commission citations.

• Supply Chain Disruptions – Recalls disrupt pharmacy operations and create delays in treatment.

How Hospitals Can Prevent Medication Mislabeling Risks

1. Implement Strict Medication Verification Protocols

• Require double-checking of all labels before medication administration.

• Use barcode scanning technology to match drugs with patient records.

• Conduct visual inspections of packaging, lot numbers, and expiration dates.

2. Strengthen Supplier & Procurement Standards

• Source medications only from FDA-approved manufacturers and verified distributors.

• Establish quality assurance partnerships with suppliers to prevent mislabeled shipments.

• Require batch testing for critical medications to ensure compliance.

3. Train Pharmacy & Clinical Staff on Mislabeling Risks

• Educate staff on identifying mislabeled medications and reporting discrepancies.

• Conduct monthly training sessions on handling recalls and pharmacy safety measures.

• Encourage collaboration between pharmacists, nurses, and physicians for early detection.

4. Establish a Rapid Recall Response Plan

• Monitor FDA recall alerts and integrate updates into hospital procurement systems.

• Develop emergency protocols for identifying and removing recalled medications.

• Work with SLIMedical.com to secure alternative drug supply during shortages.

5. Report Medication Mislabeling Cases to FDA

• Submit reports to the FDA’s MedWatch Program if mislabeled drugs are found.

• Keep detailed records of affected medications, patient impact, and corrective actions taken.

• Partner with regulatory experts to ensure hospital compliance with federal drug safety standards.

How SLIMedical.com Can Help

At SLIMedical.com, we provide hospitals and pharmacies with safe, FDA-compliant medication sourcing solutions. Our procurement specialists ensure strict quality control, helping hospitals avoid supply chain disruptions caused by recalls and mislabeling errors.

Final Recommendations

• Enhance medication verification processes to prevent administration errors.

• Work only with trusted suppliers to reduce the risk of mislabeled shipments.

• Train pharmacy staff on best practices for identifying and reporting mislabeling issues.

• Establish recall response protocols to act quickly in case of safety concerns.

For expert assistance in sourcing safe, high-quality medications, contact SLIMedical.com today.