Kenneth Mallet was admitted to Derriford in August 2003

Kenneth Mallett, 68, was prescribed a drug for the infection but did not get it, because it was out of stock in the Derriford Hospital pharmacy.

Mr Mallett was never given the drug and died four days later.

He had been admitted to the hospital in Plymouth last August with chest problems and severe weight loss.

Hospital apology

In hospital he developed bronchial pneumonia but the hospital pharmacy had run out of the antibiotic his doctor prescribed and there was a delay getting new supplies.

His chest consultant Dr Clive McGavin told an inquest on Wednesday he was dismayed the drug had not been administered straight away and said the hospital's systems had let Mr Mallett and his family down.

Plymouth Hospitals Trust has apologised to the family and says Derriford has introduced measures to avoid similar problems.

The Plymouth coroner Nigel Meadows said the case has highlighted issues surrounding communication between medical and nursing staff.

He has now asked the Trust's Medical Director to review hospital systems.