'Wrong medicine' lands pharmacy in P1m lawsuit

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:23

Thatayaone Suping Suping is claiming more than P1 million in damages after the wrong medication was allegedly dispensed, leaving him with severe skin reactions, persistent itching, emotional trauma, and lasting embarrassment. In court papers, he alleges that the incident occurred on December 19, 2025, after he visited one Dr Modukanele, who prescribed three different medications.

According to the claim, he obtained one of the medicines from the doctor before proceeding to Grand Health Pharmacy to collect the remaining two.

Suping contends that upon arriving at the pharmacy, he was assisted by a woman who did not introduce herself, explain the medication she was dispensing, or advise him of possible side effects.

'I believed the dispenser to be Kesego Modise as it appeared from the stickers she presented to me,' he states in his court papers.

After taking the medication as directed, Suping says he developed intense itching followed by skin peeling.

'I started taking the dispensed medication as directed. I started feeling a consistent itching sensation. Soon after the itching commenced, my skin started to peel off,' he reveals.

Suping says he returned to Dr Modukanele, who prescribed ointment for the reaction. During that consultation, Suping alleges it emerged that the pharmacy had dispensed medication different from what had been prescribed.

According to the claim, he confronted the pharmacy, where the dispenser initially insisted the medication was correct before reviewing the prescription and allegedly admitting to the error.

The two then went to Dr Modukanele, who allegedly confirmed that the medication supplied differed from what he had prescribed.

Suping claims Modise later admitted fault, apologised, and undertook to cover the medical costs arising from the incident.

'As part of the apology, she offered to pay future medical costs for the harm,' he states.

'True to her words, Ms Modise gave me the prescribed treatment for the allergic reaction free of charge and offered to pay for my blood tests and other treatments.'

He says he later sought compensation for his pain and suffering, after which Modise allegedly indicated she would consult the pharmacy's insurer and asked him to submit his complaint in writing.

Suping subsequently instructed his attorneys to sue, alleging the pharmacy was grossly negligent.

'I am of the firm view that the pharmacist was grossly negligent, as they nearly killed me, and it ultimately came to light that she had left an unqualified person to dispense medications without any supervision,' he alleges.

He claims the pharmacy breached its legal duties by allowing an unqualified person to dispense medication unsupervised, failing to disclose the person's status, failing to warn him of possible side effects and failing to properly supervise pharmacy operations.

Suping says he suffered severe pain, skin peeling, persistent itching, emotional distress, and ongoing embarrassment.

'I had and continue to endure very embarrassing episodes of finding myself scratching my thighs and manhood in front of my colleagues and students, some of whom are females,' he says.

He adds that the ordeal has affected his social life.

'I avoid going out for fear of embarrassing episodes of continuous scratching, even more embarrassing where I am forced to try to relieve the itch on my private parts,' he states.

Suping is seeking more than P1 million, including P150,000 for pain and suffering, P200,000 for bodily disfigurement, P300,000 for emotional shock and trauma.

Equally, P150,000 is being demanded for loss of amenities, P50,000 for past medical expenses and medico-legal reports, and P150,000 for future medical expenses, as well as interest, legal costs and any other relief the court deems appropriate.

Court papers also reveal that Old Mutual, acting for the defendants, attempted to settle the matter before litigation.

However, Suping says negotiations collapsed after the insurer allegedly offered about P33,000 in full and final settlement, which his attorneys rejected as inadequate and insufficient even to cover legal and medico-legal costs.