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Inquest: Doctor's Reckless Drug Scripts Caused Deaths
6 Jun
Summary
- A coroner found Dr. Jackson's prescribing directly led to two patient deaths.
- Patients received dangerously high doses of methadone and benzodiazepines.
- Concerns about Dr. Jackson's prescribing practices were raised years prior.
A coroner has concluded that the reckless prescribing practices of former medical practitioner Dr. David Jackson played a direct role in the deaths of two patients in Tasmania. Nicholas Brown and Matthew Winwood died between September 2016 and August 2017 due to combined drug intoxication from methadone and benzodiazepines.
Coroner Olivia McTaggart found that Dr. Jackson provided "effectively an unlimited supply" of drugs to Winwood, who was unstable, and failed to verify prescriptions for Brown. These actions were deemed "grossly irresponsible" and a "dangerous manner of treatment."
The inquest also revealed that Dr. Jackson had been the subject of significant concerns regarding excessive opioid prescribing as early as 1992 and again in 1995. A colleague noted his limited record-keeping in 2007.
Despite a criminal investigation, Dr. Jackson was not charged with manslaughter. He was prohibited from prescribing certain drugs in January 2018 and ceased practicing later that month. The coroner has recommended reforms to Tasmania's health department regarding prescriber accountability.
