Lavelle Partners secures significant settlement for woman who was forced to abandon the cycle of IVF she had started as a result of being given an incorrect dose of medication by her pharmacist.

The Plaintiff in this matter was a woman who commenced IVF treatment in Northern Ireland.

As part of the drug protocol relevant to her treatment, she was prescribed a particular drug with a 3.75mg syringe, which was prescribed by her GP. Our client bought the syringe at her local pharmacy and gave it to her GP, who administered the medication.

Subsequent to the injection, it became apparent that the pharmacy had actually dispensed a syringe with a higher dosage of 11.25mg rather than the prescribed 3.75mg. Our client was forced to abandon the cycle of IVF she had commenced and had to suffer the side effects of the higher dosage, such as menopausal symptoms. Our client suffered from depression for approximately one year following the abrupt abandonment of her IVF treatment.

Lavelle Partners were instructed to investigate her circumstances and we obtained expert evidence from a UK-based consultant in reproductive medicine. The expert advised that the error in drug administration had a significant impact on our client as regards delaying her IVF treatment and suffering menopausal symptoms, as well as our client and her partner bearing the financial costs of her cancelled IVF treatment.

Proceedings were issued against the pharmacy and the case was successfully settled for a significant sum plus costs in advance of the trial date.

For more information, please contact Avril Scally, Partner and Head of the Medical Negligence Department or Nicholas Moore, Medical Negligence Solicitor.