Bi-polar sufferer claims she was given wrong drugs by chemist

Diane Darby, who also suffers from epilepsy, says bungling chemists have regularly been giving her instant release pills rather than the slow release ones she is prescribed.

And she says the effects of the medication dispensed by the Lloyds pharmacy in Battle Road, St Leonards, have seen her end up in hospital.

She said: "This has been happening since last year.

"I am meant to have the brown pills but have been given the white ones on numerous occasions.

"I am not stupid and check my medication but each time I have raised the issue with the pharmacy I have been simply told they are just a different brand.

"Now I have found out they are completely different treatments - it is no wonder I have been ill."

Mrs Darby says she has been suffering regular panic attacks when given the white pills - which even have a different logo stamped on them.

And now she wants other people who use the chemist to check their medication to ensure similar mistakes are not being made elsewhere.

"The worry I have," said Mrs Darby, "is that if they have made this mistake with me, how many other people are getting the wrong pills?

"Someone could be tipped over the edge by having the wrong medication.

"My advice would be for everyone to double check they are getting the right pills and not to be fobbed off by being told they are just a different brand. This really is not good enough."

A Lloyds pharmacy spokesman said: "We have no record of any complaint made by Mrs Darby about the dispensing of her medication from our pharmacy in Battle Road.

"We are naturally concerned about the problems Mrs Darby is reporting and are contacting her so that we can investigate this further."