Drugs did not cause boy's death

A pathologist said deterioration in Alexander's overall condition killed him

Drugs given to a disabled teenager, who died after suffering a reaction, were not a major contributory factor to his death, a coroner has ruled.

Alexander Newton, 18, of Corston near Bath, had Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, a life-limiting condition.

He was admitted to hospital on 3 November 2005 after suffering breathing difficulties and was given a sedative.

Deputy Avon coroner Brian Whitehouse recorded a narrative verdict at Flax Bourton Coroner's Court.

Suffered delusions

He ruled that although two separate drugs - Zopiclone and Co-codamol - had been administered to Mr Newton, who also contracted C-difficile in Bath's Royal United Hospital, (RUH) neither had been a major contributory factor to death.

Mr Whitehouse said these had taken a "toll on his health" but no more.

The overriding cause, he said, was the muscular dystrophy which Mr Newton, of Corston near Bath, had inherited genetically.

Mr Newton suffered delusions of being a dog after taking medication prescribed by doctors at the RUH and died after staff prescribed the drugs.

Muscular dystrophy expert Dr Philip Jardine told the court on Tuesday this would lower the blood oxygen levels of the teenager but his advice was "disregarded" by the doctors, he said.

This, he said, would have had a hand in ending Mr Newton's life on 19 November.

After the case, Mr Newton's family said they planned to sue the NHS trust following the ruling.

His parents Barrie Newton, 60, and his wife Pamela, 58, said they had begun civil proceedings, claiming their son's life was "cut short" by up to three years.

In a statement, the family said: "The evidence shows that treatment can significantly extend life.

"His family would like Alexander's death to publicise the need for improved funding and training in respect of Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, so that there is sufficient specialist expertise to ensure that young men like him receive appropriate treatment at all times."