METAMIZOLE CASE APPEAL
Expat residents urged to add their cases to High Court appeal process
EVIDENCE of potentially fatal and 'horrific' side effects suffered by people who have taken the commonly-used painkiller metamizole in Spain is urgently needed ahead of an appeal to medical licensing chiefs.
Britons are at an increased danger of complications from taking the analgesic after people of Anglo Saxon and Scandinavian descent were identified at being ‘at risk’ groups.
Members of these groups have been found to develop agra- nulocytosis – a sudden and dangerous drop in vital diseasebusting white cells in the blood – which can trigger a serious infection.
Campaigner Cristina Garcia del Campo is building a case to take to the powerful Agencia Es- pañola de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS) – a medical translator working in the Marina Alta, she took up the fight after a client died and she discovered more and more people affected.
And she has collected scores of cases having been in contact with families of people who have died and heard from others who have suffered a life-changing experience; such as ulcers or amputations because of developing gangrene. Cristina wants AEMPS to immediately take action – even to ban – and warn of the dangers of metamizole which in Spain is seen as a safe ‘go to’ drug as a painkiller.
Marina Salud, which administers Dènia Hospital, has already issued a warning to doctors asking them to consider an alternative medication – the hospital is already investigating 100,000 cases over the last five years.
Already being called the Erin Brockovich of Jávea after the famous campaigning American activist, she has a growing file of official medical reports sent by people wanting to share their concerns – but wants more evidence.
Diagnosis
Many of the official documents, signed by doctors simply diagnose the loss of white cells and any resulting side effect as: “agranulocytosis because of metamizole”.
The drug, which is banned in Britain, the United States of America, and Scandinavian countries, has a number of brand names; in Spain it is commonly available as Nolotil.
“This is evidence, I can say to these people in Madrid ‘ look what I have got’ – for me to present a report saying ‘agranulocytosis because of metamizole’ means AEMPS cannot say it’s an exaggeration – it is the doctors saying it; it is not me making it up,” she said.
“Reports of a blood test say the numbers of blood cells are nearly zero; so having the report is brilliant – I think they will be shocked. My thanks go to all the people for trusting me with this information.”
She said she had cases where people were basically “fit and healthy” but in pain and given the drug. “They were generally happy and generally well but have been damaged for life, others have sadly died.”
Cristina said: “I have spoken to people who are in tears because they feel their life is mentally and physically ruined.”
She said one person is left taking seven tablets a day for life; others had undergone surgery to remove fingers, toes, ears or their nose after developing gangrene in those extremities of the body.
“Other people said they were given 24 hours to live; they were on the verge of dying,” added Cristina. “One woman who lost her fingertips only took three tablets; she did not take it over three days but just three pills.
Infection
“Another woman taking metamizole was bitten by a mosquito and nearly died; she had no white blood cells to fight the infection – her family were told it was 50-50 whether she lived or died.
“Others have gone to hospital for a routine blood test and been rushed back when it was found they had no white cells and have been in isolation for treatment; others have been lucky not to get an infection.
“I have collected a lot of stories and some are quite horrific; but it is very interesting and I hope a breakthrough.”
And she said doctors were prescribing metamizole because they thought they were “doing something good” and using something “seen as very safe” but without an official intervention, medical practitioners might not know of the danger to certain parts of the population.
“Doctors don’t know not to give it. Why? Because AEMPS have not given instructions; and that’s the only way we can stop it and that’s why I am going to Madrid...to make them issue instructions.”
Cristina says she need as many cases as possible before her appointment with the health chiefs in the capital on July 6 – she asks anyone who wants to support her seven-month investigation to send information before Friday June 29, giving her time to process it and incorporate into the vital presentation.
Anyone wishing to help can email Cristina at cristinadrug research@gmail.com or on Facebook at Cristina Research Information.