Elmira soldier in Iraq died from interaction of medications

First question I have is why was a soldier deployed into Iraq taking over the counter medications instead of prescriptions? Where did he get them from? From Iraqi stores not monitored by the FDA or from the USA sent in care packages? When they are not feeling well, aren't they still supposed to show up at sick call to see a doctor? Was he too far away to see one? Did he consult a medic if that was the case?

Elmira soldier in Iraq died from interaction of medications
Elmira Star-Gazette - Elmira,NY,USA
June 15, 2009


The U.S. Army has released a cause of death of Army Pvt. Justin P. Hartford, 21, who died in Iraq May 8 at Joint Base Balad.

SFC Kedon M. Lamphere, the casualty assistance officer for the family, said today the death was the result of an interaction of medications the young soldier was taking.


Lamphere read a statement prepared with the family to the media this afternoon after receiving the information from the Army last week. The statement reads:


“The family of Pvt. Justin P. Hartford releases the following received from the Office of Casualty Assistance:


“Pvt. Hartford’s death in Iraq has been determined to be the accidental result of chemical toxicity from the unfortunate interaction of more than one over the counter medication in his system.” click link above for more