Published: 9:53PM Saturday August 23, 2008
Source: Newstalk ZB
A software distributor is rejecting suggestions a computer generated prescription may have contributed to the death of a Nelson woman.
Pharmacists say patients throughout New Zealand are at risk, following the case of Hilda Sixtus who died after she was prescribed a potent anti-cancer drug with incorrect instructions.
The case is cited as a tragic example of errors occurring with the software most GPs now use to prescribe drugs.
However supplier Medtech Global says its software is just a writing tool. It says the doctor who signs a prescription and the pharmacist who dispenses it must be responsible for ensuring the patient receives the correct medication and dosage.
The company says computers can't replace human judgement.
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