Family of woman who died from prescription drug combo sues Walgreens, doctors

The estate of a woman who died of drug toxicity is suing the doctors, pharmacy and pharmacist allegedly responsible.

John Patti, as administrator of the estate of Michelle Patti, filed a complaint on May 22 in Cook County Circuit Court against Walgreens Store No. 829 in River Grove and its corporate ownership, as well as two doctors, Michael Farhi and Glenn A. Kushner, and Robert Goldberg.

According to the lawsuit, Michelle Patti was prescribed 13 different medications between May 29 and June 3, 2013. The lawsuit claims several of the drugs have dangerous interactions. For example, Cymbalta and Quetipine could cause fatal arrhythmias; and Butalbital, Codeine and Alprazolam can fatally depress respiration.

The doctors, pharmacist and pharmacy, if doing their due diligence, would never have prescribed these drugs in concert, the lawsuit states. On June 14, 2013, the deceased died as the result of toxicity from a combination of Butalbital, Alprazolam and Codeine, the lawsuit states.

The plaintiff seeks damages of more than $50,000, plus damages.

The plaintiff is represented by Evan M. Smola, of Hurley, McKenna and Mertz PC in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 15-L-5271.