Doctors Not the Only Ones to Explain Meds Effects

Regarding the high court’s ruling on failure to warn patients of potential side effects of drugs:; patients such as David Sacca, who suffered from a myriad of illnesses, are out and about in our society every day.

They all take multiple medications, with side effects commonly including drowsiness and dizziness. Their medical problems only worsen with time.

To say this incident occurred due to medication may very well be an oversimplification. Sacca could have had a transient heart conduction problem, blood sugar problem, or a transient stroke (TIA).

At the very least, he likely received instructions regarding medication side effects every time he filled his prescriptions at the pharmacy.

The loss of Kevin Coombes is a tragedy of the highest order. To blame it on medications taken by a person who was very ill to begin with will likely lead to the under-treatment of problems common to the geriatric population, including chronic pain and depression.

The loss in quality of life for patients and families due to such treatment limitations could be quite profound.

Manchester

JANET GROTH

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