Billy Smyth, 66, died in April this year after complications arose when he took prescription medication for cold-like symptoms he developed while on holidays in Spain. Up until the time of his death he was a fit and healthy man who loved cycling.
By Brian Canty
Irish people holidaying abroad have been warned by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to take precautions when taking medication following the tragic death of Mullingar cyclist William “Billy” Smyth who died in Spain in April.
Smyth, 66, complained of shoulder pain while on holiday in Torrevieja near Alicante in February and was prescribed Nolotil which he took for five days.
In April he returned to another GP in Spain to get a renewal for his normal prescription and also told the doctor he could not shake off what felt like cold symptoms.
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He was diagnosed with low white blood cell count and taken to hospital where further tests show he had suffered poisoning of his bone marrow, seriously impacting his immune system.
Billy developed sepsis and necrotising fasciitis as a result of the low white cell count. He underwent surgery to remove tissue in an effort to save his life.
Following the surgery, Billy remained in a coma and developed multiple organ failure. Sadly he died of septic shock on April 17th.
His family have said medical staff in Spain told them that people from Britain or Ireland have suffered problems as a result of taking the medications.
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“We’re obviously upset that the drug was prescribed to him but at the end of the day, the drug is legal in certain countries,” said his son Derek.
“My dad was there for a short time and already another Irish man was admitted for illness caused by the drug. Irish people should be cautious and think twice about what they’re taking. If they even stop for a couple of seconds and think, they could save their lives,” he added.
Up until the time of his death, Billy was a fit and healthy man who was one of the early founders of the Lakeside Wheelers Cycling Club in Mullingar.
They are now one of the biggest clubs in the country with a membership of over 300.
Aside from cycling he loved scuba diving and swimming, raised money for charity and was also a Civil Defence volunteer.
A spokesperson for the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) told independent.ie that Nolotil (Metamizole) has never been authorised for use in Ireland.
“In addition to Spain, metamizole has been authorised and marketed under various trade names in some other EU member states including Italy, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Luxembourg, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
"Metamizole is authorised in the above countries for the treatment of moderate or severe acute pain and high fever not responding to general therapeutic measures.
“It is known to be associated with a risk of blood disorders, including agranulocytosis (low white cell count).”
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