Medical experts issue warning over illegal drugs

The suspected overdose death of a Sydney woman from a relatively low level of illicit drugs may have been linked to allergies, prompting a warning that “one pill can kill”.

Georgina Bartter from Longueville on Sydney's north shore, collapsed and died after reportedly taking ecstasy pills at Sydney's Harbourlife Music Festival.

The teenager’s friends reportedly told police she took just "one and a half” pills.

Australian Medical Association President Brian Owler told the TODAY show the incident was an “absolute tragedy”.

Associate Professor Owler claimed the incident acted as a warning to parents and partygoers of the unpredictable reaction of taking illicit drugs.

“Unfortunately every year we continue to talk about this problem,” Prof Owler said.

“People need to be very careful about what they put into their bodies,” he said.

Allergies may have exacerbated the effect of the drugs on Ms Bartter, leading to her death.

“We know that some people seem to be more susceptible than others and it is a very unpredictable reaction,” Prof Owler said.

Program host Karl Stefanovic summed it up in one line: “the message is this morning; one pill can kill.”

“Yes, that’s the message we need to keep hammering home to our young people,” Prof Owler replied.

“I think we need to keep educating people about these sorts of drugs and the harms that can happen,” he said.