A telesales worker was found dead on the sofa of h
A telesales worker was found dead on the sofa of his Westminster home may have taken the controversial anti-smoking drug, Zyban, an inquest heard today.
(Weds)
Martin Derose, 34, had taken a cocktail of drugs and four pills of the medication designed to help smokers quit were missing from the bottle.
The inquest heard the drug has been linked to several deaths and Mr Derose’s father said his son’s symptoms were consistent with other fatalities.
Mrs Ying Derose, the wife of the dead man, said she found her husband’s body on the morning of May 19 at their home in Probyn House, Vincent St, Westminster.
She told how Mr Derose had complained of a headache the night before he died and then had fallen asleep on the sofa.
Mrs Derose went to bed and found his lifeless body the following morning.
Blood tests revealed he had taken a large quantity of the heroin substitute methodone amongst other drugs.
His wife told the hearing she did not know what Mr Derose had taken.
‘I have no idea because I never see how much he takes because he can look after his medicine,’ she explained.
Paramedics were called to the home, but Mr Derose was beyond help.
PC Gareth Smith said he arrived shortly after the emergency crew.
‘He was lying on the sofa in the living room.
He had vomit on his left sleeve and blood coming from his left nostril,’ the officer told the hearing.
PC Smith said he found a large quantities of medication in the flat, including a bottle of methadone and the Zyban container.
Dr Nicholas Hunt said fellow pathologist Dr Richard Shephard had carried out the postmortem.
Tests showed 1.
1 grams per decilitre of methadone, the court heard.
‘That level of methadone lies within the range of fatality,’ said Dr Hunt.
But he added: ‘Not necessarily an overdose but it is a high amount.
‘
No other drugs were detected in the analysis, but toxicology tests were not carried out in specific detail to highlight their presence, the inquest was told.
Mr Michael Derose, the deceased’s father said he was concerned that his son may have taken Zyban.
‘I knew he was absolutely desperate to stop smoking, hence the Zyban.
‘
Mr Derose said he had done a lot of research into the drug.
‘Everytime a death has been reported within Zyban, certainly in the US, it has been preceded by acute headache and sleepiness.
‘I know there is nothing we can do in turning back the clock but if it’s not the case then fine.
If it is then someone needs to know.
‘
Coroner Dr Paul Knapman adjourned the inquest for further enquiries to be made into the toxicology reports with an further assessment from pathologists.
The case will resume on September 4.
ends
