Pharmacy 'shattered' by mix-up

The Palmerston North pharmacy which gave 2-year-old Emma Leader the wrong medicine, causing her to almost die, has apologised for the mistake.

"We are deeply shattered with the events that have occurred," City Health Pharmacy manager Harsha Patel said.

"We apologise for the trauma we have caused the family and the child, who has fully recovered."

Ms Patel said the pharmacy would take extra precautions now.

"Our operating procedures are being reviewed."

Emma was rushed to hospital on Friday night after receiving medicine for a cough from the pharmacy on Victoria Ave.

Her parents, Gary and Lisa Leader, thought they had given her prednisolone to ease a night-time cough, as indicated on the bottle.

Instead, they got another drug, possibly risperidone, an antipsychotic drug often used to treat schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions and disorganised thinking.

Within 10 minutes of being given 5ml of the drug, Emma's eyes began to water and she became sleepy. Her eyes rolled back and she went limp.

Emma was discharged from hospital on Sunday and is recovering at home.

Health and Disability commissioner Ron Paterson is investigating.

- NZPA