Spain Refuses to Ban Painkiller Linked to 37 British and Irish Expat Deaths

Spain is facing mounting pressure to prohibit the painkiller metamizole, sold under the brand name Nolotil, due to its potentially lethal side effects that have been connected to the fatalities of at least 37 British and Irish expats living in the country. Despite campaigners compiling a dossier of 400 cases in Spain, mostly among the English-speaking expat community, the Spanish government has refused to prohibit the drug.

Nolotil is the top-selling drug in Spain, with 27.8 million pills or blisters sold in 2022 alone. The drug has been withdrawn in around 30 countries due to its ability to lower a person's immune system, leading to life-threatening illnesses or even death. While Spain's medicines agency claims the risk of agranulocytosis, the condition caused by the drug, is "very low," a regional health official's research allegedly showed that the susceptibility to metamizole in patients of British or Irish descent is "80 to 120 times higher" than in the Spanish population.

Why this matters: The refusal to prohibit Nolotil in Spain despite the documented deaths and higher risk to British and Irish expats raises questions about patient safety and the responsibility of health authorities. The ongoing public prosecutor investigation into the drug's widespread availability highlights the need for greater scrutiny and potential regulatory action to protect vulnerable populations.

The public prosecutor in Spain's national court is now investigating why the deadly drug is still widely available, despite calls for a prohibition similar to those in Britain, the US, and Australia. "It's absolutely shocking that they are refusing to prohibit this drug that is ending lives," said one campaigner who lost a family member to the drug's side effects. As the investigation progresses, families of the victims are demanding answers and action from Spanish authorities to prevent further tragedies.

Key Takeaways

• Spain faces pressure to ban painkiller Nolotil due to lethal side effects.
• Nolotil is top-selling drug in Spain, linked to 37 British/Irish expat deaths.
• Nolotil withdrawn in 30 countries, but Spain refuses to prohibit it despite risks.
• Spanish agency claims low risk, but research shows higher susceptibility in British/Irish.
• Public prosecutor investigating Nolotil's widespread availability despite calls for ban.