Illinois woman alleges wrong prescription from Walgreens caused health problems

An Illinois woman, who allegedly received the wrong prescription from her pharmacy, then took the medication for several days before allegedly becoming ill, has sued, citing permanent injuries.

Alice Altwasser filed suit May 6 in Cook County Circuit Court against Bond Drug Co., of Illinois, a subsidiary of Walgreens, and Deerfield-based Walgreen Co.

According to the complaint, on Jan. 17, 2014, Altwasser placed a prescription with the defendant for sulfameth/trimethoprim and instead received a drug called metoprolol succinate in a bottle marked for the drug she was supposed to have been given. The suit says she took the drug twice a day from Jan. 17-29, 2014, causing her internal and external injury, "shock to her nervous system," alleging she "became sick and disabled, and will continue to suffer great pain, discomfort and physical impairment ... [as well as] hospitalization and medical care" that will be protracted and expensive into the future.

The plaintiff alleges negligence, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, breach of implied warranty of fitness, and strict liability.

Altwasser seeks damages of more than $240,000, plus costs. She is is represented by attorney Scott L. Spiegel, of Spiegel and Demars in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No.: 15-L-4649.