Coroner's Finding: McCall, Pamela

45y · Female·Mixed drug and alcohol toxicity, primarily due to propranolol

Pamela McCall, aged 45, died from mixed drug and alcohol toxicity on 12 February 2013. Her de facto partner, Dr B., a general practitioner, had been prescribing propranolol and panadeine forte for her since 2008 without formal consultation, examination, or informing her treating GP Dr S.. Bennett wrote 60+ recorded prescriptions informally, sometimes via text message requests. McCall had a history of stress, migraines, and back pain but declined mental health support. On 10 February 2013, McCall collected three bottles of propranolol (300 tablets total) from a pharmacy, then ingested propranolol and paracetamol with alcohol at home. Bennett was absent at a festival. Clinical lessons: informal prescribing without proper documentation or communication between practitioners is dangerous; addictive medications require oversight; patients with psychological distress need formal mental health referral; absence of formal consultation removes safeguards.