A female pharmacist at a drugstore in Sakon Nakhon received praise for assisting a student whom she assessed to have a severe allergic reaction and safely transported to the hospital. The student has a history of shrimp allergy, which may have been contaminated in the grilled pork shared with friends.
According to social media reports, pharmacist Kanyanat Wongtapa, working at Yok Ya Pharmacy in Mueang Sakon Nakhon district, helped a male student who came in to buy allergy medication but showed abnormal symptoms. She decided to take him to the hospital, and the student is now reported safe.
Later, the Facebook page of The Pharmacy Council praised pharmacist Kanyanat, stating this incident highlights the pharmacist’s role beyond dispensing medicine, requiring knowledge, caution, and decision-making to ensure public safety. They commended her care and responsibility, noting that every observation and decision could mean "another life" given a chance.
An update on 15 Sep 2026: reporters visited Yok Ya Pharmacy in Mueang Sakon Nakhon to inquire about the incident but did not find pharmacist Kanyanat on duty. Pharmacist Chotika Thanasai, the owner, recounted the entire event.
Pharmacist Chotika said that on the day of the incident, which was her day off, Kanyanat was alone at the pharmacy. Around 7:00 p.m., a male student came in to buy allergy medicine. Kanyanat noticed his eyes were swollen on both sides, quickly gave him allergy medication to take, and asked him to sit and rest while observing his condition.
After attending to other customers, Kanyanat checked on the student again. He reported difficulty swallowing saliva, leading her to assess that he might be experiencing anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening severe allergic reaction.
Pharmacist Chotika continued that upon this assessment, Kanyanat called her, the store owner, to request permission to take the student to the hospital. After receiving approval, Kanyanat closed the pharmacy and took the student to Sakon Nakhon Hospital for urgent treatment. It was later confirmed that the student was safe.
Chotika also shared information from the student’s older sister, stating that before the incident, the boy had eaten grilled pork with friends and has a known shrimp allergy. Although he did not eat shrimp that day, the grill was shared with others who did, suggesting possible shrimp contamination causing the allergic reaction.
This incident serves as a warning for those with food allergies, especially where shared cooking equipment or utensils are involved. Even without directly eating the allergen, cross-contamination can trigger allergic reactions. In cases of severe allergy, prompt medical attention is essential, as anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.