Teen in Coma from Pharmacy Error
A Draper, Utah teen was prescribed oxycodone hydrochloride to help him sleep and to relieve the pain he was experiencing from strep throat. The prescription bottle told him to take one teaspoon every four hours which he did. Jessie Scott, 18, now lays in a coma since April 30 because the Walmart pharmacy where he had it filled allegedly failed to dilute the liquid medication prior to handing it to his parents. Scott’s dosage ended up being 20 times more potent than what the doctor prescribed. Scott’s organs started to fail soon after he fell into the coma so he was put on a ventilator. He spent 16 days in the intensive care unit, then four days in intermediate care, but now resides in a rehabilitation center. Therapists are trying to stimulate his senses. Doctors are unsure how much damage has been done to Scott’s brain. “His brain is still very plastic, still very elastic and we’re hoping and praying that it can find ways around those areas to connect back up,” said Scott’s father, Wayne. “That’s our hope.” The Wal-mart pharmacies response so far is, “This is a very sad situation. Our thoughts are with this young man and his family.”
