Woman develops rare life-threatening skin disorder after taking painkiller: Doctor ordered to pay Rs 5.5 lakh compensation
The commission found the doctor guilty of medical negligence and lack of service, stating that his failure to obtain a detailed history of the patient before prescribing a high-risk drug directly led to a situation that resulted in the complainant being hospitalized for nearly two weeks and unable to work for 40 days.
A routine visit gone terribly wrong
The 32-year-old woman, who worked in a cement factory in Chhattisgarh, visited the neurologist at the Raipur clinic on September 10, 2024, due to neck pain. He reviewed the MRI scan, which showed cervical spondylosis with disc protrusion at two levels, and prescribed a combination of Etoricoxib and Thiocolchicoside, a powerful painkiller commonly used for nervous and musculoskeletal pain.
He paid the examination fee, took his prescription and went home.
Within two days, his condition began to deteriorate rapidly.
Bubbles, burning and missed calls As of September 12, severe itching and skin peeling appeared in the genital area. The next day, rashes appeared on his feet and his lips began to ulcerate and swell. She tried to reach the doctor by phone but claimed he did not answer.
When she finally reached him in person, he blamed her again, admitted that the medication had probably caused the reaction, discontinued the painkiller, and prescribed a replacement medication. His condition did not improve.
On September 17, he referred her to a gynecologist. This treatment did not provide any relief.
A day later, the lesions spread to his chest, back and limbs. He was admitted to a hospital in Raipur on 19 September 2024 and remained there till 1 October 2024.
What the hospital found
Doctors at the hospital diagnosed him with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a serious and potentially fatal drug reaction in which the skin and mucous membranes blister and peel away in sheets. This condition is known to be triggered by some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of the neurologist-prescribed class.
The hospital bill came to Rs 1,60,378. The 40-day unpaid leave he had to take cost him R87,000 in lost income.
What is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?
The commission took care to explain the situation on record.
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a rare, serious disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes. It is often triggered by certain medications, including NSAIDs and painkillers. It causes widespread blisters, painful skin separation, and ulceration of the mouth, throat, eyes, and genitals. The commission described the situation as an extreme medical emergency.
Photographs presented as evidence documented the extent of physical damage to his body.
What did the commission decide?
Chairman Prashant Kundu and Member Dr. The commission, chaired by Anand Varghese, found that the neurologist prescribed a high-risk drug without taking a proper patient history, asking about previous drug allergies and warning him about the possibility of serious side effects.
The court stated that the patient had absolute trust in his doctor and prescribing an aggressive medication without proper counseling constituted medical negligence.
The gynecologist to whom the patient was referred was exonerated. The commission found no negligence against him.
What did the court order?
The neurologist was directed to pay the following within 45 days: Rs 1,40,534 towards hospitalization and treatment expenses, Rs 4,00,000 as compensation for physical, mental and financial sufferings and Rs 10,000 towards litigation expenses, taking the total amount to Rs 5,50,534.
If payment is not made within 45 days, 7 percent annual interest will be charged on the entire amount from the order date until full payment is made.
