Report says an approved weight-loss drug contributed to the death of a British nurse | Health

A weight loss drug recently approved for use by the NHS contributed to the death of a 58-year-old nurse from North Lanarkshire, a report has found.

Susan McGowan took two low-dose tirzepatide injections under the brand Mounjaro within two weeks before she died on September 4, the BBC reported.

Her death certificate, which was viewed by the broadcaster, lists the immediate cause of death as multi-organ failure, septic shock and pancreatitis – but the decisive cause is listed as “taking prescribed tirzepatide”.

McGowan worked as a nurse at University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie for more than 30 years.

According to the BBC, McGowan purchased a Mounjaro prescription through an online pharmacy after researching the drug and seeking medical advice.

The drug costs £150 to £200 for a four-week supply and can be purchased from any registered pharmacy in the UK.

After the second injection, McGowan experienced severe stomach pains and became ill, requiring her to go to Monklands for an accident and emergency room where her colleagues tried to save her.

Mounjaro maker Lilly said patient safety was the company's top priority.

A spokesperson told the BBC: “We are committed to continually monitoring, evaluating and reporting safety information for all Lilly medicines.

“Mounjaro was approved based on a comprehensive assessment of the medicine’s benefits and risks, and we inform regulators around the world about the benefits and risks of all our medicines to ensure prescribers have the most up-to-date information.”

Tirzepatide was approved for use as a weight loss aid in the United Kingdom by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in 2023.

Dr. Alison Cave, the MHRA's chief safety officer, told the BBC: “Our sincere condolences go out to the family of the affected individual.” Patient safety is our top priority and no drug would be approved if it did not meet our expected standards of safety, Quality and effectiveness corresponds.

“We have robust safety monitoring and monitoring systems for all healthcare products. Based on current evidence, the benefits of GLP-1 RAs [the class of medications that includes Mounjaro] outweigh the potential risks when used for the approved indications.”

Ministers have recently announced plans to potentially use tirzepatide on unemployed people to help them return to work. The company is working with Lilly to run a five-year trial in Greater Manchester, with 3,000 people expected to receive the jab.

Jade Campbell, McGowan's niece, who was with her when she died, told the BBC she believes it is not the right time for the trial and hopes the British government will reconsider the decision.