The Department of Consumer Protection, Drug Control Division investigates complaints of when a pharmacist or pharmacy does not follow the laws and regulations for pharmacy. Complaints and investigations are reviewed by the Commission of Pharmacy.
Prescription errors may include:
- Wrong drug
- Wrong strength
- Wrong directions
- Wrong patient
- Wrong quantity
- Expired medication
- Mixed medication
- Receiving someone else's medication
If you think you have received the wrong medication, tell your doctor and pharmacist right away.
Prescription Error Complaints
In-State Pharmacy – To report a prescription error, fill out the Prescription Error Complaint Form and email the completed form to DCP.RxError@ct.gov.
If you can’t complete the form, send an email to DCP.RxError@ct.gov with the following information:
- Name, address, phone number and email address of the person filing the complaint (date of birth if the person filing the complaint is also the patient)
- Patient name, date of birth, and how they are related to the person filing the complaint (if needed)
- Pharmacy name, address and phone number
- Prescription number(s)
- Date the prescription was filled
- Date the problem was found
- Name and strength of the medication given
- Names and titles of the people you spoke to at the pharmacy (if any)
- Is there any evidence? If so, who has it at this time?
- Describe what happened in the complaint, step by step.
- Please include photographs with your email, fax or letter if possible.
- What type of error occurred:
- Wrong Drug
- Wrong Strength
- Wrong Directions
- Wrong Patient
- Wrong Quantity
- Expired Medication
- Mixed Medication
- Received Someone else's medication
- Other
You can also send your complaint by mail or fax to:
Department of Consumer Protection
Drug Control Division
450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 901
Hartford, CT 06103
Fax: (860) 706-1350
Out-of-State Pharmacy – Complaints about out-of-state pharmacies, also known as mail order pharmacies, can be sent to the Drug Control Division.
- Fill out the Prescription Error Complaint Form and email the completed form to DCP.RxError@ct.gov. If you can’t fill out the form, email the information listed above to DCP.RxError@ct.gov.
- Include the state where the pharmacy is located.
- The Drug Control Division will send your complaint to the correct Board of Pharmacy, if needed.
- For a list of Boards of Pharmacy, go to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) or call 847-391-4406.
Pharmacy Complaints
Pharmacy complaints must be emailed to DCP.DrugControl@ct.gov. Complaints about a pharmacy may include:
- Technician ratio violations – too many pharmacy technicians per pharmacist
- Missing the Drug Control Division prescription error information
- Pharmacist being away for too long
- Unlicensed people working in the pharmacy
- Pharmacy staff being under the influence or impaired
- Violation of patient confidentiality
- Pharmacy is closed without notice
- Pharmacy refuses to transfer a prescription (Note: In most cases, pharmacists are not required to transfer a prescription. Some prescriptions cannot be transferred and require a new prescription from the prescriber.)
Other Issues
Prescription Cost/Pricing – Price changes, Insurance issues, co-payments, etc.
The Department does not investigate:
- Medication pricing, including price changes
- Fees
- Billing disputes
Patients should compare prices and talk to their pharmacist and doctor to see if a cheaper option is available.
If you have complaints about copay changes, prior authorizations, or other insurance issues, please contact the Department of Insurance.
Pharmacy Located Outside of the Country
The Department of Consumer Protection Drug Control Division does not recommend using pharmacies outside of the country. Using a pharmacy outside of the United States is at your own risk.