Ernest Boyd

Policy

A 2-year-old. A death. A pharmacist facing jail. What will spur lasting change?

Trade groups are preparing a legislative push to shield pharmacists from criminal prosecutions -- disturbed over the pursuit of a Cleveland-area pharmacist after his mistake contributed to the death of a young girl. "Criminal prosecution sends the false message that clinical perfection is an attainable goal, and that 'good' health-care practitioners never make errors and should be criminally punished if they are involved in an error," says one interest group.