Man dies after using animal de-wormer in misguided cancer treatment

A man died after taking a de-worming drug for animals as he believed it would cure cancer, an inquest heard.

Man dies after taking animal de-worming drug believing it cures cancer

Lee Redpath, a 45-year-old man from the UK, died after self-medicating with fenbendazole, a drug intended for animals, believing it could cure his cancer. He began taking the drug after seeing false claims online regarding its efficacy against cancer, despite it being banned for human use. After three weeks of use, he was hospitalized with liver failure and passed away on April 29. The coroner noted that fenbendazole contributed to his liver damage, and highlighted the dangers of self-prescribing medication sourced from the internet.

The tragic case of Lee Redpath underscores the ongoing issue of misinformation in the digital age. As social media increasingly serves as a source of health advice, vulnerable individuals may easily be misled by false claims. This incident raises significant concerns about the regulation of drugs available online and the potential consequences of self-medication. While the case points to individual responsibility, it also highlights a systemic failure to protect consumers from hazardous practices and false promises.

Highlights

This tragedy highlights the urgent need for better online health information and regulation.