A 78-year-old woman in Decatur, Georgia, was hospitalized for an extended period after allegedly being given fentanyl patches by a Publix pharmacy instead of her prescribed hormone treatment. Betty Thomas experienced severe symptoms for nearly three weeks, including vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty using the bathroom, before her family discovered the alleged medication error. The incident has raised significant concerns about prescription verification procedures and patient safety protocols within pharmacies.
"It was straight up a slap in our face, and there was no remorse." — Deanna Thomas, Granddaughter of Betty Thomas
According to Thomas and her family, she received what she believed were her hormone treatment patches from a local Publix pharmacy. Unbeknownst to her, the patches were reportedly prescribed for another customer named Betty Davis and contained fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. Thomas applied the patches as directed, leading to a gradual decline in her health. "I’m throwing up, I’m nauseous, I’m dizzy, I can’t go to the bathroom, I’m sick," Thomas recounted to 11Alive, describing her worsening condition.
Fentanyl is a potent opioid primarily used by medical professionals to manage severe pain, particularly in patients with chronic conditions or those requiring palliative care. Its strength necessitates precise dosing and careful patient monitoring due to the high risk of overdose, even with prescribed use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified illegally manufactured fentanyl as a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses across the United States. While prescription fentanyl can be used safely under strict medical guidance, accidental exposure, especially in individuals without opioid tolerance, can lead to serious health complications such as extreme drowsiness, confusion, and dangerously slowed breathing.
Thomas's family became increasingly alarmed by her deteriorating health. Her son eventually took her to the hospital, where medical staff and the family reportedly uncovered the medication mix-up. The discovery was particularly distressing for the family, as Thomas had recently lost her husband. Her granddaughter, Deanna Thomas, expressed the family's anguish, stating, "My children just lost their father, and then to turn around and have to go through losing their mom."
Following the hospitalization and the alleged identification of the pharmacy error, the family initiated communication with Publix's corporate office. On July 7, Publix reportedly sent an email offering Betty Thomas $4,000 as compensation for the incident and to assist with medical expenses. The family, however, found the offer to be inadequate and disrespectful given the severity of the situation. Deanna Thomas described the offer as "straight up a slap in our face," adding, "there was no remorse." She further stated that the company indicated the offer was "more than the $750 that’s standard," implying a fixed scale for such incidents.
It remains unclear whether Betty Thomas has accepted the compensation offer or if her family intends to pursue further legal action. 11Alive reported that it sought a statement from Publix regarding the family's allegations but did not receive a response at the time of its report. The incident has garnered attention from civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who characterized the situation as "deeply troubling" in a social media post, although it is not confirmed if he has formally taken on the case.
The fentanyl patches have since been turned over to police for proper disposal. Betty Thomas is reportedly continuing her recovery, but she anticipates that regaining her full health will be a prolonged process. This case has reignited discussions surrounding the critical importance of robust prescription verification systems and comprehensive medication safety measures within pharmacies to prevent similar errors and safeguard patient well-being. The alleged mix-up underscores the potential for devastating consequences when such protocols fail, particularly with highly potent medications like fentanyl.
