Husband sues over wife’s death
The husband of a woman who died when a Duragesic patch failed, causing her death, has filed suit in Grundy County Circuit Court.
Richard Sparrow, administrator of the estate of Jesica Sparrow, and Cody Sparrow, their child filed the suit against Janssen Pharmaceutica, Alza Corp., Johnson and Johnson, Dr. William Haugh and Gardner Pharmacy, seeking damages for her death.
Duragesic in the brand name for Fentanyl, used to treat chronic pain. According to the complaint, Dr. Haugh prescribed the Duragesic patch for Mrs. Sparrow.
The patch malfunctioned and administered too high a dose, more than 75 micrograms per hour, of Fentanyl, causing her death on Nov. 19, 2007.
The drug companies named in the suit were involved in the manufacture or distribution of the patch.
Dr. Haugh was named a defendant for prescribing the patch.
Gardner Pharmacy was named a defendant for filling the prescription.
The suit charged the pharmacy should have known Mrs. Sparrow was being prescribed large quantities of pain killers from Sept. 8 to Nov. 19, 2007, including 600 Vicodin, 180 Oxycodone and 45 patches.
