House of Assembly Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Ministerial Statement Ministerial Statement Mental Health Patients, Heatwave Deaths MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS, HEATWAVE DEATHS The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH House of Assembly Adelaide Minister for Education Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Minister for Tourism Minister for the City of Adelaide The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Adelaide—Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (17:34): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement. Leave granted. The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH House of Assembly The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: I was asked a question by the deputy leader this afternoon relating to some patients in the mental health system. I have been informed that three patients taking clozapine, but with other medical conditions, did unexpectedly die during the recent heatwave. This is, of course, a personal tragedy for the families involved, and I express my condolences to them. There is a possibility that the medication may have been linked to those deaths through the cardiovascular effects of clozapine. So, as is protocol, the Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee was informed and there is follow-up of other patients who may have been treated with the same drug. This matter is still under investigation, and the matter is being looked at by that committee.