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The recent death of a nurse in North Lanarkshire has been associated with a weight-loss drug that has been authorised for NHS usage. Susan McGowan, who was 58 years old, passed away on the 4th of September after taking two low-dose injections of tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro, over the course of a couple of weeks. Her death certificate lists multiple organ failure, septic shock, and pancreatitis as the immediate cause of death. However, “the use of prescribed tirzepatide” was also mentioned as a contributing cause of death. This is thought to be the first death in the UK officially associated with the weight-loss medication.
Ms McGowan was employed as a nurse at University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie for over 30 years. She had frequently discussed her efforts to lose weight with family and friends. The emergence of weight-loss jabs appeared to offer a more promising alternative. After investigating Mounjaro and receiving medical advice, she purchased a prescription from a registered online pharmacy. The medication typically costs between £150 and £200 for a four-week supply and is accessible at any registered pharmacy in the UK.
Days following her second injection, Ms McGowan suffered from severe stomach pains and nausea. She went to the A&E department at Monklands, where her colleagues worked tirelessly to save her life. Her niece, Jade Campbell, was present when she died. She described her aunt as being kind, generous, and bubbly. Doctors discovered that Ms McGowan’s kidneys were not functioning correctly, which led to organ failure and her slipping into a coma.
Tirzepatide is one of several weight-loss medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which release hormones that make the patient feel fuller for longer. The UK authorised the medication in 2023 as a weight-loss aid and was approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Although the NHS only prescribes the medication to a small number of patients owing to its cost and availability, the MHRA runs the Yellow Card Scheme, which enables the public and healthcare professionals to report suspected side effects of medications. In the UK between January and May 2024, there were 208 records of tirzepatide, including 31 serious issues and one suspected death of a man in his sixties.
The manufacturer of Mounjaro, Lilly, emphasised patient safety and stated that the medicine’s benefits and drawbacks were thoroughly evaluated. The Chief Safety Officer at MHRA, Dr Alison Cave, stated that new medications such as tirzepatide are thoroughly watched to ensure that new safety concerns are discovered immediately. She highlighted that patient safety is their top priority, and any medicine would be approved only if it met the agency’s expected safety, efficiency, and quality standards
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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