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Oncologist who prescribed more than twice correct dose to cancer sufferer is censured
Summary
An oncologist at Beacon Hospital in south Dublin, identified only as Dr A, was censured by the Medical Council after prescribing more than twice the correct dose of the chemotherapy drug Temozolomide to Sinead Ni Dhulaing Johnson, a 44‑year‑old RTE producer who later died of a brain tumour. The patient received 350 mls of the drug, whereas the correct dose was 135 mls, and she took the excess for 16 days in August and September 2008. The overdose caused severe symptoms including a hot rash, hair loss, extensive bone‑marrow damage and required hospitalisation from September until November 2008. Dr A admitted the mistake, implemented precautions by 15 September 2008, and pledged not to repeat the behaviour. The Medical Council inquiry, held in September 2016, concluded that the error had no suggestion of hastening Ms Ni Dhulaing Johnson's death. The council censured Dr A for the conduct that led to the inquiry.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Oncologist who prescribed more than twice correct dose to cancer sufferer is censured. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- 25 November 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2008 Other
- September 15, 2008 Other
- 5 September 2008 Other
- 9 September Other
- November 2008 Other
- 2016-12-13 Publication
Why: He said many oncologists were trying to move away from it because of its high levels of toxicity, but that it could be effective with certain types of brain cancer. CNI source report
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Hearing Or Decision
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