Mushroom killer Erin Patterson approved for taxpayer-funded Ozempic

News
World

Author: Jack Marshall,
Publish Date: Tue, 8 Sep 2026, 2:19pm

Convicted triple murderer Erin Patterson, who killed family members with poison mushrooms, has been approved to receive the weight loss drug Ozempic in prison at the Australian taxpayer’s expense.

The 51-year-old is serving a life sentence for murdering her former parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, in 2023.

The three died after eating a beef Wellington containing death cap mushrooms, the world’s most lethal fungus.

The Herald Sun reported Patterson had been approved to receive Ozempic injections after gaining weight while spending up to 23 hours a day alone in her cell.

The decision has drawn criticism from an opposition politician and Australian media commentators, who have questioned why taxpayers should cover the cost of the sought-after medication.

Erin Patterson has been gaining weight in prison after barely leaving her cell. Photo / Supreme Court of Victoria

The Department of Corrections told the Herald Sun Patterson’s treatment had been authorised solely on the basis of clinical need.

Corrections authorities say the medication is intended to reduce Patterson’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other health complications associated with rapid weight gain during prolonged confinement, 7News reported.

“Accessing medication in Victorian prisons is like receiving medication in a hospital setting,” according to Corrections Victoria.

“This means people in prison do not need to pay for their medications.

“We don’t place any restrictions on what medications can be prescribed to people in prison.”

Victorian Shadow Minister for Police and Corrections Brad Batten argued in June that excessive weight gain among prisoners could point to wider problems within the corrections system.

Mushroom lunch leftovers taken from Erin Patterson's home.

“Maybe we should be using prescriptions for more exercise, or a government should be reviewing what they are feeding prisoners here in Victoria,” Batten said.

The issue was discussed on Australian breakfast programme Sunrise, with commentators questioning whether taxpayers should meet the cost of Patterson’s treatment.

“Diabetes costs the healthcare system a lot of money, but who is going to get behind someone who is convicted of three murders and an attempted murder?” commentator Cath Webber said.

“I think it’s a joke that taxpayers are picking up the bill for it.”

Commentator James Willis pointed to previous supply pressures and the difficulty some Australians had experienced accessing the medication.

“The reality is that this is a drug that has had shortages in recent times, on and off, and also a drug that some Australians have tried to get access to and can’t for various medical reasons,” Willis said.

“I don’t think it passes the pub test.”