A man with epilepsy died after falling downstairs when he was left without essential medication because his pharmacy was unable to supply it.
David Crompton, 44, from Leeds, died on December 13 after he fell downstairs, which resulted in a brain injury and cardiac arrest. Epilepsy was listed as a contributory factor in his death. His pharmacy had left him an ‘IOU’ for his prescribed anti-epileptic medication, an inquest was told.
Mr Crompton had been prescribed, among other things, the anti-epileptic medication Tegretol. He had been left without the medication for around 10 days in April that year as the pharmacy could not supply it, an inquest heard. During that period he had suffered a fall.
In December, he was again left without the Tegretol. The pharmacy had left a manuscript ‘IOU’ in relation to Tegretol at his home when other medicines were delivered. His falls in April and December happened when he was left without his essential medication, the inquest was told.
Senior West Yorkshire coroner Kevin McLoughlin has now issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report in relation to what happened to Mr Crompton. The coroner said it was a matter of concern that for ‘relatively lengthy periods’ on two occasions Mr Crompton was left without important medication.
“The evidence given by family members at the inquest was that when the pharmacy was unable to supply the prescribed Tegretol medication, it was left to them to contact other pharmacies to see if they could obtain it, rather than for the pharmacy to search for supplies.
“The inquest was informed that following the April 2024 episode, hospital specialists commented that the absence of Tegretol for around 10 days ‘will likely have contributed to your seizure activity’. It is questionable whether lessons were learnt from this potentially dangerous interval.”
The coroner has sent his report to Midway Pharmacy in Pudsey, Leeds, and the General Pharmaceutical Council in London. He has asked both to respond by February 27.
Clare Pelham, chief executive of the Epilepsy Society, said: “The Epilepsy Society, working with other charities and pharmacy organisations, has been calling for several months on the government to conduct an urgent review into the medicines supply chain that is resulting in repeated shortages of vital medications. Our hearts go out to David Crompton’s family and friends.
“How can it be the case that sadly someone dies as a result of a medicines shortage in the UK? We have been warning for months of the worst and most extreme outcome that medication shortages can have for people with epilepsy.”
Ms Pelham added: “I hope that David’s sad death will be what it takes to prompt the Government to take action now. As Winston Churchill famously said, we need action this day.
“We need a task force with strong leadership and accountability. Charities and people across the pharmaceutical industry and supply chain are only too willing to lend their expertise and I hope Health Secretary Wes Streeting will recognise the importance of acting now.
“It is critical that another family doesn’t have to experience this devastating loss.”
Midway Pharmacy has been approached for comment.
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