A pharmacist who gave a woman the wrong medication causing liver damage has retired following his mistake.
A report released by the Health and Disability office today said the woman visited a pharmacy to collect medication to treat an inflammatory bowel disease and cholesterol.
The pharmacist intentionally replaced the cholesterol medication, but failed to notice he had given the woman the wrong treatment for a bowel condition.
When the patient questioned the change with a shop assistant, it was incorrectly assumed she was questioning the type of cholesterol medication and she was assured she had been given a generic alternative.
As a result of taking the wrong medication the woman suffered liver damage and spent five days in hospital.
The pharmacist said his mistake had caused him considerable anguish and he has now retired from practice.