About drug injuries
NPE considers all compensation claims relating to injuries resulting from drug use.
It is not always easy to know whether you have suffered a drug injury or a patient injury. Sometimes, this will only become clear when we are considering the claim.
You can apply for compensation for adverse reactions to drugs, referred to as a drug injury. You can also apply for compensation for treatment failure, referred to as a patient injury.
Drug injury
In simple terms, drug injuries are injuries caused by the ingredients of a drug. You could experience serious injuries such as liver failure, renal failure, bleeds or other adverse reactions.
If the injury is caused by drugs that you have purchased in a shop or over the counter at a pharmacy, we will always consider the claim as a drug injury and not a patient injury. The claim for compensation will then be managed in accordance with the specific rules relating to drug liability as set out in the Product Liability Act.
Patient injury
A patient injury, on the other hand, usually takes place as a result of treatment failure on the part of healthcare personnel. You may be given the wrong drugs or the wrong dosage by your physician, sustaining an injury as a result.
Who is liable and who will pay compensation for drug injuries?