A 68-year-old victim of Parkinson's disease, who claimed his condition deteriorated when he was dispensed a different form of drug to that prescribed for him, has sued his chemist for damages for alleged negligence and breach of contract.
Mrs Kathleen O'Reilly, of Sandyhill Gardens, Dublin, who with her husband is jointly suing ODC Chemist Ltd, Ballymun Shopping Centre, Ballymun, told the Circuit Civil Court yesterday that her husband, Charlie, could not support his own head and had difficulty swallowing within a week of taking the different form of medication.
He had been unable to continue with his daily routine of looking after the home, while she was out at work, and preparing meals for her. He slowed down, and everything he did seemed to take much more time and effort. He was unable to leave the house.
Mrs O'Reilly told Judge Liam Devally her husband had suffered from Parkinson's disease since 1978, a condition which had progressed slowly until 1993. He had been mobile until the day he started the medication in question, visiting his doctor himself and doing the shopping and housework. He had been able to go on a round-Ireland holiday in 1992.
By April 1993 her husband was slowing and his specialist had prescribed an increased dose of Sinemet, the drug used in the treatment of Parkinson's.
She said the drug dispensed by the chemist, Sinemet Plus, had not been the higher-dose one prescribed.
When she had complained on the phone to the specialist doctor's medical team, one of them had suggested she reduce the dose from three tablets a day to two, further reducing the dose and causing a further deterioration in her husband's condition.
Mr Paul Gardiner, counsel for the pharmacy, said his client's case would be that the prescribed drug had been properly dispensed for Mr O'Reilly and he had specifically pleaded that if there was negligence it lay elsewhere than with the pharmacy.
He said he would require to cross-examine all doctors involved in the case and particularly the one who had recommended a one-third daily reduction in medication.
The proceedings were adjourned to a date to be fixed to allow time for the bringing to court of all appropriate medical witnesses.