The court heard how Ms Wicks, who was also diabetic, had been prescribed painkillers such as co-codamol previously to treat chronic pain she was suffering, but was prescribed stronger medication, specifically tramadol, since 2013. Dr Muhammed Quraishi is believed to be the last doctor to speak with Ms Wicks and explained what tramadol is to the court. He said: “Tramadol is a strong form of painkiller and is used for patients who have severe pain. It’s used as a high grade form of medication. “It should be used short-term, but there are incidents where patients with chronic pain find it hard to come off of the drugs, as we have seen in this case.” The court also heard, from previous medical reports, that Ms Wicks suffered with alcohol dependency. In the months before her death, Ms Wicks had stayed in contact with her doctors, Valley Park Surgery, on Franklin Way, for repeat prescriptions, citing at times she had lost a prescription previously given to her or it had been thrown away accidentally. Before her death she had called Dr Quaraishi, on December 29, to enquire about another prescription and he had issued 60 capsules – enough for 12 days. Both Ms Wick’s doctor and mother had ruled out that she had any suicidal thoughts or tendencies before her sudden death in January, the court also heard. Ms Lynch read a statement made on behalf of Charlotte Smith, the officer who was called to Ms Wick’s home to find her. She said: “Police were called after a neighbour said he had not seen or heard from Ms Wicks in a few days and said he could hear her answer phone bleeping. “I was on duty assigned to a concern for safety call. We [Ms Smith and another officer] arrived in a few minutes after receiving the call and we gained entry to the flat.” There, Ms Lynch said the officer found Ms Wicks collapsed in the kitchen, at about 10.20pm, with the fridge and microwave door still open from preparing a meal for the evening. Ms Lynch said: “The levels [of tramadol in the toxicology exam] are very high, so you have the suspicion it was deliberate, but in view of her dependence and in view of the way she was found, I do not think there’s any way this was the case of suicide. “I think this was an accidental overdose of prescribed medication.” When giving evidence, Ms Wick’s parents were given the opportunity to put questions to Dr Quarashi, with Ms Wicks’ mother asking why tramadol was prescribed. Dr Quarashi answered saying that the prescription drug can be necessary for patients suffering from chronic pain, for patients who find co-codamol does not help and that Ms Wicks had been working to reduce her dose. Ms Lynch added: “I have no criticism of the GP, but we need to see how people are dying so we can try and help others who have drug-seeking behaviour. “It can be a devil’s advocate for GPs because patients can go somewhere else [to get prescribed drugs], possibly the street and it could be unsafe. “But we do need to recognise there’s a problem for those who are dependent on pain killers.” Tori Add 0802 739 7554 To Receive SKYTREND NEWS Alerts On WhatsApp; For Adverts Enquiries, Whatsapp 0802 739 7554, Send Articles & News Stories To editor@skytrendnews.com. READ ALSO! 14-Year-Old Pregnant Housemaid Dislodges Her Childless Madam, Says I Can’t Share Husband With You READ ALSO! SHOCKING, ALARMING: Nigerian FRSC Official Engages Woman In Serious Physical Combat (VIDEO) READ ALSO! How I Stopped Obasanjo From Becoming Nigerian Version Of Mugabe — Atiku READ ALSO! I’m Happy Leaving My Husband, Nine Children For New Lover — Housewife After 23 Years Of Marriage READ ALSO! The Smart CEO: Top 5 Websites To Get Cheap Domain Name Registration READ ALSO! First Bank’s Appalling Customer Service And Utter Disregard For Its Customers READ ALSO! Between GoDaddy And Namecheap: Making The Best Choice For Domain Name Registrar READ ALSO! Nigerian Filmmaker, Zuriel Oduwole Makes Forbes List Of 100 Most Influential African Women READ ALSO! Woman Marries Her Son After Getting Pregnant For Him ]]>