Stimulant Drug Caused Death

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30191, 24 July 1963, Page 15

Stimulant Drug Caused Death

(N ZP A -Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, July 23. A British drug firm lust night announced it had stopped distribution of the drug.

drazine. after the death Drazine is one of a group used to treat hundreds of thousands of mentally-ill patients in Britain. An announcement by Smith and Nephew Pharmaceuticals. Ltd., said it was arranging for "a critical reassessment" of toe drug. The company said drazine had never been available excep* on a doctor's prescription Before it was released foi general use bv the medical profession the drug was subjected to comprehensive tabontory and hospital evalua tion. At an inquest in Norwich. Norfolk, last Saturday on Mrs Joyce Trudgill, aged 40, the

of a patient. Cot oner, Mr Olive Prior, said:— "I am satisfied that death was caused by the drug.” The Coroner was told that Mrs Trudgill was prescribed anti-depressive drazine tablets The verdict was death by misadventure. In Christchurch last evening the medical superintendent of Sunnyside Hospital, Dr J D Hunter, said that the drug, drazine. was not used at his hospital “1 have never heard of a drug under that name." he said. "Of course, these drugs have so many different names, it is difficult to know which one is which."