Phone: 802-345-8804 / 727-451-9343 | Email: arthurwernick@gmail.com
Article in the Journal of the Alleghany County Bar Association
April 22, 2022
Experts with integrity and knowledge are beneficial to your case.
By Arthur Wernick, PharmD
As a Clinical Pharmacist, I assist law firms in cases that involve medications, often in the areas of personal injury and medical malpractice. I provide research, expert opinion and reporting that is knowledge-based and unbiased, allowing me to assist with either plaintiff or defense and my work is focused toward the specific needs of the case.
The distinction between research and opinion must be clear. Information that is researched through published medical literature is precisely referenced. A balanced approach to obtaining the information ensures a high standard of credible facts. Expert opinion involves assessing the available information and providing a coherent analysis of the facts and how they pertain to the case. This allows my legal partners to determine the significance of the conclusions and their strength in negotiation or in litigation.
This article will provide a pointed example of the subtleties surrounding the dangers of medication mismanagement versus medication errors.
Medication Mismanagement vs Medication Errors: Where the Danger Lies
By Arthur Wernick, PharmD
Medication errors are often quite clear on their face, at least as far as the initial event is concerned. A common error is that someone receives the wrong medication. This may be due to an error in prescribing or an error in dispensing.
Circumstances of medication mismanagement are rarely quite so clear. In this case, the patient was taking 10 medications, all correctly prescribed and dispensed, yet the patient winds up deceased. I was asked to help determine if the patient’s medications contributed to the patient’s demise.
This is an interview with Dr. Wernick and his work on pediatric trials of Covid-19 vaccines published by the American Pharmacists Association
Clinical Trial Pharmacist Has Unique Perspective on Vaccine Safety
While pharmacists have been administering COVID-19 vaccines to pediatric patients in pharmacies around the country, Arthur Wernick, PharmD, has been behind the scenes helping test investigational new COVID-19 vaccines in children. He prepares IV infusions and vaccines for COVID-19 trials at TrueBlue Clinical Research in Tampa, Florida. The experience has given him a valuable perspective on vaccines.
“I have been fortunate enough to be part of the trials where these medications are developed. The patients undergo so much monitoring, for months and months, so that your child can come into a pharmacy and take the shot, and you can go home with peace of mind,” Wernick said.
Wernick is working on pediatric clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines in development by Novavax and Bavarian Nordic. The Novavax vaccine combines the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and an adjuvant dubbed Matrix-M, which should boost immune system response to the spike protein. Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine, which uses proprietary capsid virus-like particle technology, is intended to be a universal booster to any prior COVID-19 vaccine.
Clinical Pharmacy Research Group
ARTHUR WERNICK, PharmD
Phone:
802-345-8804
727-451-9343
Email: arthurwernick@gmail.com