Third cancer patient dies in Spanish hospital after medication error

Published on 23/04/2026 - 11:53 GMT+2

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A third cancer patient has died following a serious error at the University Hospital of Burgos, a public hospital in northern Spain. The patient, who had been in critical condition for several months, died after several months in a critical condition as a result of the overdose..

The incident dates back to last December, when five patients undergoing cancer treatment received significantly higher doses of medication than prescribed. The error occurred during the preparation of the drug when an incorrect concentration was mixed, leading to all five patients receiving excessive amounts.

Two of the five patients died shortly after receiving the treatment. The third patient had been in intensive care since the incident and ultimately could not recover. The remaining two patients improved and have since been discharged from the hospital.

Spanish authorities have opened a judicial investigation to determine who bears responsibility for the error, with potential charges of serious professional negligence under consideration.

The hospital has since acknowledged that the incident was the result of human error and has revised its internal protocols to strengthen medication safety procedures.