Investigation and inquest
On 26/04/2018 I commenced an investigation into the death of Sufia Begum. The investigation concluded at the end of an inquest on 20th August 2018. The conclusion of the inquest was:-
Died from an unrecognised adverse drug interaction.
Circumstances of the death
The deceased was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on 14/04/18 suffering from vomiting, confusion and generalised weakness. She had previously been treated at City Hospital for exacerbation of asthma from 07/04/18 – 09/04/18 and had been prescribed clarithromycin. Tests at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital confirmed she was suffering from an accumulation of verapamil (a calcium channel blocker drug she was already taking) caused by the prescription of clarithromycin which inhibits the enzyme which breaks down verapamil. It had not been recognised at the time that verapamil interacts with clarithromycin. Despite treatment she died on 24/04/18.
Based on information from the Deceased’s treating clinicians the medical cause of death was determined to be:
MULTIORGAN FAILURE
CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKER TOXICITY
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
Coroner’s concerns
1. I heard evidence at the inquest that the most useful tool to identify potential drug interactions was the BNF mobile device APP. The author of the RCA confirmed that not all doctors were aware of the APP. An alert to all NHS Trusts and GPs would provide this valuable information which may prevent a future death from an unknown drug interaction.