Family who claims woman died months after drug treatment for skin rash settles action
The family of a restaurateur, who it was claimed died a few months after being prescribed a drug to treat itchy skin rash, has settled a High Court action.
Poh Kwai Tan, a Malaysian woman known as Joyce Tan who lived in Dunboyne, Co Meath, ran five restaurants before her sudden death at the age of 47 in May 2020.
Her husband Tuck Nam Au and their daughter Yen Ching Au of The Place, Dunboyne Castle, Co Meath, had sued GP Anas Mansour who practises at Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin, over his wife's death.
The settlement is without an admission of liability. The details of the settlement are confidential.
The family's counsel, Jeremy Maher SC instructed by Michael Boylan Litigation, told the court that the case had been settled after mediation. Counsel said Ms Tan's family in Malaysia were listening to the court ruling of the case by remote link.
Last year, Dublin coroner Dr Clare Keane returned a verdict of death by misadventure. The inquest heard evidence that Ms Tan developed a syndrome – a very rare condition and complication also known as drug hypersensitivity syndrome – after being prescribed Dapsone to treat a rash on her body.
Dr Keane said she had been unable to substantiate references in evidence that suggested the patient may also have taken some Chinese medicines for her skin condition.
Family's claims
In the High Court proceedings, it was claimed that in December 2019 Ms Tan complained of an itchy rash and went to a doctor who noted it might be scabies. In January 2020, Ms Tan consulted Dr Mansour in relation to her rash, and he noted it had not improved and she was unable to sleep due to itchiness.
The doctor advised that it was necessary to repeat the scabies treatment. The rash covered Ms Tan's arms, upper and lower back. On February 12, 2020, it was claimed that Ms Tan was started on a treatment with Dapsone, which is a drug prescribed by specialists to tackle severe skin conditions.
It was claimed that Ms Tan on April 4 attended a hospital A&E with worsening skin breakdown and abdominal pain and was noted to have abnormal liver function tests. Three days later a possible Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome was noted and a liver biopsy was taken and other medication was prescribed for her.
It was claimed she was further admitted to hospital on two occasions and on May 18, 2020, was transferred to another hospital for a possible liver transplant. Her condition continued to deteriorate and she was noted on May 27 to have liver failure, multi-organ failure and septic shock before she died three days later.
It was claimed that a diagnosis of dermatitis herpetiformis was made without referring Ms Tan to a dermatologist and there was an alleged failure to monitor Ms Tan in respect of the effects of Dapsone.
It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to advise Ms Tan of the risk of developing Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome and of the symptoms. There was also, it was contended, a failure to advise Ms Tan of the requirement to discontinue Dapsone if she got any of the syndrome symptoms.
All of the claims were denied.
Noting the settlement and the division of the statutory mental distress solatium payment, Mr Justice Paul Coffey conveyed his deepest sympathy to Ms Tan's family.
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