Drug dose in lead up to death was too big

Jane Emerick
A 58-year-old Geelong woman died from a lethal cocktail of drugs after a local GP prescribed an “excessive” dose of morphine the previous day, a coroner ruled yesterday.
Ron Saines referred the case of Irene Bryant, who died on January 4, 2002, to the Medical Practitioner’s Board for further investigation.
Mr Saines’s report said the amount of morphine that Dr Carl Grace prescribed to Mrs Bryant on January 3 “could not be justified”.
But Mr Saines also found that Mrs Bryant was a “manipulative” woman who had been “doctor shopping” in the lead up to her death.
Mrs Bryant was also an attention seeker who was prone to exaggerating symptoms, the report said.
Dr Grace had prescribed 100mg but other witnesses had identified 10 to 30mg as an appropriate dose, Mr Saines found.
The court heard the amount of Dr Grace’s prescription was consistent with doses for patients who had developed a tolerance to the drug.
Mr Saines said the Medicaid clinic where Dr Grace worked had “inappropriately prescribed” morphine at least four other times.
Mr Saines recommended that the other prescriptions also go before the Medical Practitioner’s Board.
Prescribing morphine to Mrs Bryant in any dose was questionable because of her medical history and “drug seeking” behaviour, Mr Saines said.
He also criticised pharmacist Stella Tsorotes for issuing Mrs Bryant with the 100mg dose of morphine the day before her death without questioning the size.
Mrs Bryant’s two daughters, Tania Barry and Kim Wultz said they were both pleased with the result of the coroner’s investigation.
“We’re really happy with the outcome because we don’t want it to happen to anyone else,” Mrs Berry said.
“We can take some relief from this.”
Mrs Wultz said the finding vindicated her suspicions.
“We knew the amount of morphine prescribed was excessive from the start,” said Mrs Wultz.
The daughters remembered their mother as having a great sense of humour and as a loving grandmother to nine grandchildren.
They said they were disappointed Dr Grace did not appear in court to hear the coroner’s findings.
Mr Saines also recommended that the federal Health Minister launch an investigation into doctor shopping.