Death of Invergowrie man leads to call for herbal pill tests

Jul 4 2008 by Jenny Wood, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

AN INQUIRY into a man who died after taking a shop-bought remedy drew to a close this week.

Invergowrie man Norman Ferrie (64) died of liver failure in 2004 not long after he started taking glucosamine tablets.

Almost four years to the date since he died, Mr Ferrie’s sister gave evidence to the fatal accident inquiry in Perth.

Crying as she gave her evidence, Elaine Ferrie called for more regulation and testing of natural remedies.

The inquiry has also heard from David Carter of the Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency – part of the Department of Health.

He explained glucosamine was a £50million annual business in the UK and his office had taken action on 56 separate complaints against glucosamine products in the last 10 years.

Mr Ferrie had been taking the herbal supplement glucosamine, extracted from crab and lobster shells, to help tackle pain in his arthritic joints.

But on June 30, 2004, he was admitted to Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, after he had been sick and become jaundiced.

Mr Ferrie died at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on July 3, 2004.

All evidence has been presented to the fatal accident inquiry and Sheriff Michael Fletcher closed by saying he would issue his findings in writing at a later date.