CVS Pharmacy Faces €4,000 Bill After Accidental Double Cancer Drug Order
The problem began when the pharmacy accidentally placed two separate orders for Zejula for the same patient. Upon realising the mistake, staff immediately contacted GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the drug’s producer, to cancel one of the orders. GSK, however, refused to halt the second shipment, arguing that the medication was exempt from returns because it was a cancer treatment.
The incident highlights the strict policies surrounding high-cost cancer treatments and the challenges pharmacies face when errors occur. While the shipment was recalled, the pharmacy remains responsible for the nearly €4,000 cost. The case also underscores the binding nature of pharmaceutical purchase agreements, even in situations of accidental duplication.
