Campaign Against Deadly Drug Nolotil Goes To Spanish Health Authority

In an update on the investigation into deadly painkiller Nolotil, Spanish health authorities are set to consider nationwide action in July.

Nolotil has been widely prescribed in Spain for years, but the drug causes often fatal reactions in patients originally from northern Europe. Late last year, English language newspaper Olive Press started a campaign to outlaw the deadly painkiller drug after many expat readers revealed family members and friends had died after taking it as prescribed by local doctors.

Health campaigner and medical and legal translator Cristina Garcia del Campo, the inspiration behind the push to ban the drug, has gathered case studies of Anglo-Saxon users of the painkiller who’ve been affected or even died as a result. She’s now taking the results of her campaign to the Madrid-based Agencia Espanola de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios, the only Spanish authority with the power to ban dangerous drugs. According to Cristina, it’s the only chance the campaign has to stop the threat to expats’ health and lives.

As a final push, Cristina is urging holidaymakers as well as expats who may known someone who’s suffered or possibly died through taking Nolotil to come forward and add to her presentation. She believes not one single case history must be missed, and is asking for emails documenting serious reactions or worse. Previously, Cristina has canvassed Spanish hospitals in a push to alert the authorities, with a spokesperson from Marbella’s Hospital Costa del Sol stating the facility is now fully aware of adverse reactions within the British expat community but refusing to say what measures are being taken as a result.

However, the urgent message has reached the Alicante-based health network Marina Salud, which issued an official warning in April against the drug’s use on both British patients and those from Scandinavia. The deadline for reporting as yet undisclosed cases to is June 29, and messages can be sent via [email protected].