A British coroner has drawn the government's attention to a major issue following the sudden death of an elderly Indian-origin woman after taking her husband's medication. A coroner has issued a warning to the government-funded National Health Service (NHS) about the dangers of similar medicine containers used by pharmacies. A coroner is a government official appointed to investigate a death.
Elderly man died in hospital
Seva Kaur Chadha, who lived in Slough, Berkshire, in south-east England, fell to the ground floor of her home in May last year and died in hospital a few days later. Seva Kaur Chadha lived with her husband and both of them had some physical health issues for which they were taking several medicines. Due to their old age, the couple was also prone to problems like forgetting things.
report published
Berkshire assistant coroner Katie Thorne said in her report released this week that the investigation showed Kaur had been taking her husband's medication instead of her own for several days. This also included diabetes medicine. His glucose level was found to be very low. Chadha's cause of death was sodium depletion without necessary treatment for low blood glucose.
Danger will increase in future
Coroner Katie Thorne said in her Prevention of Future Deaths report that the inquest had revealed some worrying issues. If no action is taken the risk of death will increase in the future. Their investigation also revealed several concerns, including the similarity of drug containers supplied by pharmaceutical companies. Due to which elderly couples often become disappointed. Besides, the name of the medicine etc. is also written on a small sticker on it.
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