AN INQUEST is today deciding whether a rheumatoid arthritis sufferer died after being inappropriately prescribed drugs by her GP.
Doreen Froste, 72, of Birkby Lodge Road, died at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI) on March 13, 2004.
Mrs Froste had suffered severe rheumatoid arthritis – a chronic disabling disease causing inflammation and destruction of bones and cartilage around the joints.
She had been prescribed Methotrexate by Dr Manohar Singh, of Birkby Health Centre, Norwood Road.
Huddersfield Coroners’ Court was told Mrs Froste may have accidently taken up to 30mg of the drug per week, compared with 25mg – the maximum safe dose.
Mrs Froste, who moved from Sussex to Huddersfield in 2003, may have taken Methotrexate simultaneously prescribed by her GP and HRI.
The inquest heard Mrs Froste, who had also suffered severe asthma and breast cancer, may have taken the medication on a daily basis instead of the recommended once-a-week dose due to a prescription error.
Birkby pharmacist Mohammed Bashir Karim told the court he had repeatedly “corrected” prescriptions from Dr Singh that advised Mrs Froste to take Methotrexate daily for five days a week.
Assistant deputy coroner Paul Marks asked: “Did you consider that an incorrect prescription?”
Mr Karim: “Yes...”
Mr Marks: “It’s OK to take a large dose once a week, but constant attrition on a daily basis is problematic?
Mr Karim: “Yes...”
Mr Marks: “That was a regular error that was being repeated?”
Mr Karim: “Yes...”
Mr Marks: “Do you consider Methotrexate is a very serious drug?”
Mr Karim: “It’s very serious. It should be treated very carefully.”
Professor John Henry a toxicologist at St Mary’s Hospital, London, told the inquest Mrs Froste’s death had been consistent with an inappropriate consumption of Methotrexane.
The case continues today.
