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Vol. 3 Issue 77 www.gibraltarolivepress.com August 15th - August 28th 2018
Pension shocker
THE EGG TEST Everyone has heard the claims that Andalucia is hot enough to cook an egg on the pavement in the summer... we visited the ‘Frying pan of Spain’ to test out the theory,
EXCLUSIVE By Luke Madeira
BRITISH pensioners in Spain claim to have lost more than a fifth of their spending power over the last two years as a direct result of Brexit. Richard Hill, vice president of Brexpats in Spain, claims plummeting exchange rates, taxes and a rise in the cost of living have caused significant income losses. It comes as the pound sunk to a new low of just 1.10 to the euro last week, as worries of a hard Brexit magnified. The pensioner, who claims he’s around 22% ‘worse off’ since the referendum, believes expats will struggle regardless of whatever deal is reached ahead of Britain’s exit from the EU. The pensioner added: “The significant problem at this stage with Brexit is the fluctuating exchange rate. “Obviously fluctuations are normal, however the steady downward trend is seriously affecting people.”
Plummet
It comes after the Rabobank in London warned that a nodeal Brexit could end in euro-sterling parity, while last week saw the pound plummet to an eight-month low. British expat Karen Watling, from Sheffield, claims she has lost as much as a third of her monthly budget. “Over two years this has caused us problems financially,” she told the Olive Press. “Prices and commodities have also risen so it has been like a double hit.” The exchange rate was an avTurn to page 4
August 15th - August 28th 2018
SEE CRACKING JOB PAGE 6
Olive Press probe discovers lethal painkiller Nolotil for sale in Gibraltar EXCLUSIVE By Elisa Menendez, Luke Madeira & Laurence Dollimore
LETHAL painkiller Nolotil is being sold in Gibraltar despite being banned in the UK and other parts of Europe. It comes after a two-year Olive Press investigation in Spain linked the drug to at least 10 deaths of British and northern European patients. The drug - also known as Metamizole - is believed to attack the immune system by depleting the patient’s white blood cells. While not yet banned in Spain it is currently under investigation, following our probe, and is unlicenced in the UK, US, France, Australia and elsewhere. Incredibly though, the Olive Press this week found a number of pharmacies still apparently handing out the drug on the Rock. An undercover Olive Press journalist was told the drug
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NoloTil VicTory
EXclUSiVE By Elisa menendez
He
The dad-of-two later died from septic shock – believed to be linked to taking the Nolotil. BritAnother ish expat Hugh Wilcox was prescribed the same for medication shoulder mild pain on the Costa del Sol. developed severe head Continues on Page
loomS
AN Olive Press health campaign has led to ‘the biggest’ drug probes in Spanish history. Our investigation into the mysterious deaths of expats from the painkiller Nolotil last year, is finally being acted on. In a landmark breakthrough, a national probe is expected to lead to new regulation of the drug, which is banned in the UK and most of Europe. “It has been a long time in coming and by raising so much awareness, I am sure lives have already been saved,” medical and legal translator Cristina Garcia del Campo told the Olive Press. The medical professional found our 1000-strong petition online and took it forward after one of her patients died from TRAGIC: Graeme Ward with wife Mary (left) and the drug. “Spain wants to help, Billy Smyth, who both died from Nolotil
need for more research
fully supports Dental Care in Marbella, Dr Nina King, of Oasis Olive Press the drug is not something the campaign, telling the medication,” she prescribes. stick to safe and standarddo, it’s a drug “It’s not a drug I use, I what damage it can she said, “And after seeing future.” I won’t be using in the doctor Dra. Victoria María Chacón Marbella-based private drug is dangerous. “I don’t prescribe Almeda also agrees theOlive Press, “I have lots of British pathe drug,” she told theof what it is capable of doing. tients and I am aware more research on its impact.” “There needs to be a lot
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that’s for sure. I have had support from every healthcare professional I have spoken to. “If I hadn’t come across your article I wouldn’t have realised what was happening to the English community,” she added. We launched our ‘Kill the Drug’ campaign against the painkiller last August, after learning that dozens of British and Irish expats had died after their immune systems were allegedly destroyed by the commonly prescribed drug. A trio of families told us how their relatives had died unnecessarily in excruciating pain. Yet, authorities refused to take our claims seriously, despite the evidence being backed up by local doctors. Fortunately, Ali-
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cante-based Garcia del Campo spotted our campaign, while working with an Irish expat who suddenly became critically ill with sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis after taking the drug. He died later in November. Book with the coast’s most trusted transfer company
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Vol. 11 Issue 271
Save our home!
EXCluSiVE By laurence dollimore
A BRITISH expat couple are fighting to save their Malaga home from demolition over a technicality. Gill and Bob Ward, both 74, have been locked in a battle with their town hall, which claims their house in Almayate is illegal. Just yesterday the retired couple from Cornwall were given
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August 2nd - August 15th 2017
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THE Olive Press is giving away pairs of tickets for two of the best three concerts on the Costa del Sol this summer... And all you have to do is answer two simple questions!
Michael Bolton takes to the stage for an emotive end of season night at Marbella’s Puente Romano on August 10, while pona is set for its biggest rock concert Estein years with mammoth
Doctors and dentists join Olive Press appeal for ban on dangerous painkiller Nolotil EXCluSiVE By laurence dollimore
tribute bands Think Floyd, Deeper Purple Whole Lotta Led rocking out the greatest and hits of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and Led at the Plaza del Toros on August 26. Zeppelin For a chance to win a pair of tickets to see Bolton, just answer the question; what year was Michael Bolton born in? For the Pink Purple Zep Fest in Estepona, tell us; Where was Jimmy Page born? just Email answers to the newsdesk@theolivepress.es.
Kill ThE drug
THE Olive Press is calling on Spain to ban a lethal painkiller that is killing countless of unsuspecting expats. British dentists and doctors are supporting the ban after Briton Graham Ward, 75, complained to the Olive Press of how he was prescribed the deadly Nolotil drug by a dentist last week. It’s the very one month to knock down their same drug that was blamed only property (pictured above). for killing his wife in 2006. In a court order seen by the The Marbella-based expat Olive Press, the Wards are was furious when he was told warned they will be held crimito take the painkiller by his nally responsible if they refuse. Spanish dentist, after suffer“I don’t know what to do anying from a difficult abscess. more, I’m at the end of my His wife Mary, 59, had died aftether” Gill told the Olive Press, ter being prescribed the same “I’m totally exhausted from the drug following a double vasecwhole ordeal.” tomy at Costa del Sol Hospital. The retired pair, who have now “Within 24 hours she was spent thousands of euros on lein intensive care, her white gal costs, bought the old farmblood cell count plummeted house ‘in ruins’ in 2004, and to zero within days,” explains were given permission from Graham, a former computer HAPPIER TIMES: Graham with Velez-Malaga town hall to retechnician, from London. wife, and Billy Smyth build it. She never regained conscious- again. But when the original wall colMetamizole, Nolotil is banned ness and was on a life support “He said she would lapsed of its own accord during machine for FOUR months, she hadn’t taken it, be alive if in the US, the UK, Ireland and construction, the Wards’ archibefore spending three years heard from dozensbut I have most of Europe, but it is pretect told them it would be fine fighting the impact of the and Irish who have of Brits scribed widely in Spain. and that he would let the town William drug, which led to organ fail- it,” added Graeme. been given Irishman ‘Billy’ hall know. Unfortunately for Smyth was given a five-day ure. It is the third victim “The chief surgeon at the hos- drug the Olive Press of the course of the drug in FebruContinues on Page 8 has re- ary. pital promised me he would ported on in under But when the 66-year-old renever prescribe that drug Sometimes knowna year. also as turned to a different Spanish
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Dr Nina King, of Oasis Dental Care the campaign, telling the Olive Pressin Marbella, fully supports the drug is not something she prescribes. “It’s not a drug I use, I stick to safe and standard medication,” she said, “And after seeing what damage it can do, it’s a drug I won’t be using in the future.” Marbella-based private doctor Dra. Victoria María Chacón Almeda also agrees the drug is dangerous. “I don’t prescribe the drug,” she told the Olive Press, tients and I am aware of what it is “I have lots of British pacapable of doing. “There needs to be a lot more research on its impact.” doctor to get a renewal in April, tests showed the drug had caused a toxic poisoning in his bone marrow and his white blood cell was dangerously low. Billy, a keen sportsman, developed sepsis and necrotising fasciitis as a result and required ‘radical surgery’ to remove the affected tissue in an attempt to save his life.
The dad-of-two later died from septic shock – believed to be linked to taking the Nolotil. Another British expat Hugh Wilcox was prescribed the same medication for mild shoulder pain on the Costa del Sol. He developed severe head Continues on Page 2
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Nolotil, or Metamizol, is still one of the most popular painkillers in Spain, yet the most feared side effect is agranulocytosis, a severe and rapid drop in white blood cells, which leaves patients unable to fight infections. Garcia del Campo noticed that a large number of other English
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doctor to get a renewal in April, tests showed the drug had caused a toxic poisoning in his bone marrow and his white blood cell was dangerously low. Billy, a keen sportsman, developed sepsis and necrotising fasciitis as a result and to required ‘radical surgery’ in remove the affected tissue life. an attempt to save his
EXCLUSIVE: Poems from Gibraltar soldier locked up in Andalucia prison for murder
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Deeper Purple and tribute bands Think Floyd,out the greatest hits Whole Lotta Led rocking and Led Zeppelin of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple August 26. at the Plaza del Toros on pair of tickets to see For a chance to win a question; what year Bolton, just answer the in? was Michael Bolton bornFest in Estepona, just For the Pink Purple Zep Page born? Email Pink Purple Zep Fest tickets tell us; Where was Jimmy s.es. WIN WIN WIN: Bolton and answers to the newsdesk@theolivepres
on THE Olive Press is calling Spain to ban a lethal painkiller of unthat is killing countless suspecting expats. doctors British dentists and afare supporting the ban 75, ter Briton Graham Ward, Press complained to the Olive the of how he was prescribed a dendeadly Nolotil drug by very tist last week. It’s the blamed same drug that was their one month to knock down for killing his wife in 2006. above). expat only property (pictured by the The Marbella-based told In a court order seen was furious when he was are by his Olive Press, the Wardscrimito take the painkiller sufferwarned they will be heldrefuse. Spanish dentist, after from a difficult abscess. afnally responsible if they do anying died “I don’t know what to of my His wife Mary, 59, had same more, I’m at the end Press, ter being prescribed thevasectether” Gill told the Olive the drug following a double “I’m totally exhausted from tomy at Costa del Sol Hospital. was whole ordeal.” “Within 24 hours shewhite now The retired pair, who haveon lein intensive care, her spent thousands of euros farmblood cell count plummeted and Billy Smyth gal costs, bought the old and to zero within days,” explains HAPPIER TIMES: Graham with wife, banned house ‘in ruins’ in 2004,from Graham, a former computer Metamizole, Nolotil is UK, Ireland and were given permission to reagain. technician, from London. alive if in the US, the but it is preVelez-Malaga town hall “He said she would be She never regained conscioussupport she hadn’t taken it, but I have most of Europe, build it. ness and was on a life scribed widely in Spain. ‘Billy’ colfrom dozens of Brits Irishman But when the original wall William machine for FOUR months, during given years heard five-day lapsed of its own accord archibefore spending threeof the and Irish who have been Smyth was given a Februconstruction, the Wards’be fine it,” added Graeme. fighting the impact course of the drug in which led to organ fail- It is the third victim of the ary. tect told them it would town drug, the Olive Press has re- But when the 66-year-old reand that he would let the for ure. hos- drug hall know. Unfortunately different Spanish “The chief surgeon at thewould ported on in under a year. also as turned to a 8 pital promised me he drug Sometimes known Continues on Page never prescribe that
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away three THE Olive Press is giving of the best conpairs of tickets for two this summer... certs on the Costa del Solanswer two simAnd all you have to do is ple questions! the stage for an Michael Bolton takes to at Marbella’s emotive end of season night10, while EstePuente Romano on Augustconcert in years rock pona is set for its biggest with mammoth
Doctors and dentists join Olive Press appeal for ban on dangerous painkiller Nolotil
are A BRITISH expat couple Malaga fighting to save their over a home from demolition technicality. 74, Gill and Bob Ward, both a battle have been locked in which with their town hall, claims their house in Almayate is illegal. couJust yesterday the retiredgiven ple from Cornwall were
www.theolivepress.es
and Irish patients had been suffering with sepsis at hospitals along the Costa Blanca. “I thought, this can’t be normal,” explained the translator, from Madrid. And after looking at patients’ notes, she found that each had one thing in common - they were all taking Nolotil. Although manufacturers list side effects such as agranulocytosis, necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis, they are considered ‘very rare’ affecting one in every 10,000. The figures did not seem to add up to Garcia del Campo so she set about doing her own research. However, no information existed in Spanish media. The only articles she could find on the drug and its lethal side effects was in the Olive Press. “I was in disbelief,” continued the Javea-based translator, who lived in the UK for 18 years. “I thought this was surely wellknown and someone was doing something about it. Except it wasn’t. “I felt I had to inform Spain Continues on Page 2
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was available or ‘sometimes in stock’ in at least three pharmacies. An employee at Wesley Phar-
macy told a journalist he could be given the painkiller with a prescription. A parallel investigation by GBC found six pharmacies selling the drug, and was able to buy a packet for £2.50. The Gibraltar government is now looking into several pharmacies for illegally selling the painkiller. It came after one Gibraltarian, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was sold the drug at a pharmacy in March without a prescription. “The man just sold it to me and
said with the amount of pain I was in it would be stronger,” she told the Olive Press this week. “I was also taking 600mg ibuprofen and 500mg paracetamol but he suggested I should take the Nolotil instead of paracetamol.” Another Gibraltar resident also confirmed she took the drug on the Rock. “I go to the chemist and just buy them, never heard of needing a prescription,” she said. After we launched a campaign to have the drug regulated
Beach cam fail
A SERIES of new beach webcams are being bizarrely turned off at night. The government claims the switch off from 10pm to 7am is due to ‘data protection’ issues, not to protect late night illegality. It was forced to give the reason, after being accused of protecting smugglers who were allegedly filmed Eastern Beach on the first night they were operational. According to GBC, one of the six new cameras recorded a group of men tobacco smuggling at the beach. The government insists this is entirely untrue and uses other ‘more sophisticated, intelligence-led’ measures to stop smuggling. The live camera feeds, similar to the ones at the border, allow beach-goers to check for up-to-date conditions and access updates on weather conditions.
in Spain last summer, health campaigner Cristina Garcia del Campo took up the cause and has managed to take our case studies and around 100 more to the country’s top health chiefs. A decision on whether to bring in new regulations is imminent. It came after we reported how the drug left several British expats dead or fighting for their lives. Benalmadena-based Hugh Wilcock, 80, had to plan his own funeral after being prescribed the drug for pain relief following several back operations. But six weeks into taking the pills, he developed sores on his forehead and felt weaker and weaker until he had to be rushed to Malaga’s University hospital, where he remained in intensive care for weeks until his immune system recovered. He is just one of dozens who have been brought close to death. The Gibraltar government did not get back to us as we went to press last night.