A heartbroken widow has issued a stark warning against the use of fenbendazole, a potent 'horse de-wormer' not licensed for human consumption, after her husband, Lee Redpath, died believing it could prevent cancer. Mr. Redpath, 45, from Cambridgeshire, purchased the drug online from a Ukrainian supplier early last year. His concern over developing cancer, following a relative's diagnosis, led him to social media posts claiming the drug could cure the disease.

Fenbendazole is typically used to treat gastrointestinal parasites in animals, including roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. However, it has garnered controversial attention after figures like actor Mel Gibson claimed on 'The Joe Rogan Experience' podcast that a cocktail of drugs, including fenbendazole, had cured several friends of stage 4 cancer. Podcaster Rogan controversially agreed with Gibson, asserting the substance's efficacy, which alarmed doctors globally.

While very limited research has suggested fenbendazole may possess anti-cancer properties in some cases – including a 2020 review and a recent study reviewing six human cases where tumors shrank – authors consistently stress that more research is critically needed. Conversely, other larger studies have reported severe risks to adults taking the drug, such as intestinal injury and liver failure. Doctors, particularly in South Korea where a surge in fenbendazole use for cancer occurred in 2019, have documented cases of intestinal necrosis, a severe and life-threatening condition.

Mr. Redpath self-administered fenbendazole for at least three weeks before being admitted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge on April 12, 2024, showing signs of liver failure. Despite receiving treatment, his condition rapidly deteriorated, and he passed away just two weeks later, on April 29. A post-mortem examination concluded that his use of fenbendazole inflicted an acute injury to his liver, which was the ultimate cause of his admission and death.

At the inquest into his death, Assistant Coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Caroline Jones, determined that Mr. Redpath would still be alive had he not taken fenbendazole. She concluded, "It is a potent anti-worming treatment which was taken at far higher relative doses than had ever been envisaged and over a far longer time scale." Although Mr. Redpath had a history of drug and excess alcohol use, this was not deemed the cause of death. Dr. Gwilym Webb, a consultant hepatologist at Addenbrooke's, further clarified that fenbendazole is not licensed for human consumption in the UK and has "no proven benefit for preventing or treating cancer in humans." Dr. Webb also noted that Mr. Redpath's recent alcohol misuse rendered him ineligible for a liver transplant.

His partner, Lauren Laul, has now urged the public to avoid taking the drug, warning they may be 'unknowingly killing themselves.' She highlighted the ease with which people can purchase it online without medical supervision, leading to a lack of crucial information about its dangers. Coroner Jones expressed concern that individuals could easily buy the drug over the internet and indicated she would contact the local public health team to assess the scale of the issue and determine if a formal report is necessary. This tragic case underscores the perilous consequences of self-medication based on unverified claims and highlights the critical need for public awareness regarding unlicensed substances.