A groundbreaking BBC investigation has exposed the severe and often hidden side effects of dopamine agonist drugs, used to treat Parkinson’s disease, which can trigger compulsive behaviors that devastate families. The report centers on the case of Andrew, a solicitor who embezzled £600,000 from vulnerable clients to fund an addiction to sex workers and antiques, a tragedy linked directly to his medication.
Andrew’s descent began after he was prescribed Pramipexole for Parkinson’s, a drug that initially alleviated his symptoms but soon led to uncontrollable impulses. His family, including his wife Frances and children Alice and Harry, watched in horror as he spiraled into spending vast sums on adult webcam sites, escorts, and collectibles, using clients’ money without their knowledge.
The financial theft came to light when police arrested Andrew, uncovering that he had stolen from 13 elderly clients, some of whom were in care homes with dementia. One victim died shortly after, with insufficient funds for her funeral, highlighting the profound human cost. Andrew’s arrest and the subsequent media attention shattered the family’s life in their community.
In court, it was revealed that Andrew’s impulsive behavior was a known side effect of dopamine agonists, drugs that boost dopamine levels and can cause impulse control disorders in up to one in six Parkinson’s patients. Despite this, his family claims they were never warned by doctors, a common theme echoed by many others interviewed for the investigation.
The consequences extended beyond financial ruin. Andrew’s son Harry, struggling with mental health issues, was deeply affected by the scandal and later took his own life. After serving two years of a four-year prison sentence, Andrew himself succumbed to suicide in 2020, leaving a trail of grief and unanswered questions about drug safety.
The BBC’s year-long investigation found that scores of UK families have been torn apart by similar impulsive behaviors linked to these medications, including compulsive gambling, shopping, and hypersexuality. Many victims report losing life savings or homes, with little recourse due to challenges in mounting legal cases against pharmaceutical companies or healthcare providers.
In response, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, chair of the Health Select Committee, has called for urgent action, describing the findings as “devastating.” She has written to the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to demand clearer warnings on drug labels, specifically listing the frequency and types of impulsive behaviors, rather than vague terms like “increased libido.”
While the MHRA has stated there are no plans to change warnings, citing the individualized nature of side effects, the government has acknowledged the concerns. The story underscores a critical gap in patient safety, where shame and underreporting prevent full awareness of drug risks, leaving families to cope with irreversible harm without adequate support or information.
