Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

American Samoan doctor suspended over prescription error

Posted at 03:15 on 15 January, 2008 UTC

A doctor in American Samoa has been suspended without pay for allegedly prescribing medication that Governor, Togiola Tulafono, was allergic to.

Sources at LBJ hospital say one of the two doctors who treated the governor when he was admitted last week was put on suspension.

According to the sources an antibiotic to which the governor was allergic was given to him before his operation and this is what caused him to experience breathing problems.

Citing patient privacy rules LBJ Chief Eexecutive, Patricia Tindall, declined to comment.

However, Ms Tindall says LBJ is taking appropriate action.