Pharmacist’s Restoration to Register After Conviction for Theft and Misconduct

In a recent GPhC Fitness to Practise determination, a pharmacist was granted restoration to the register after being removed due to serious misconduct. The pharmacist, originally convicted in 2014 for theft of prescription medicines and supplying drugs unlawfully, had his fitness to practise deemed impaired. The original committee found his actions fundamentally incompatible with the profession, leading to his removal from the register. Despite an unsuccessful restoration attempt in 2020, the pharmacist reapplied in 2021, presenting evidence of significant professional development and insight into his past misconduct.

The allegations against the pharmacist included theft by employee of various prescription medicines and unlawful supply of drugs, leading to a conviction and a suspended sentence. The original committee highlighted breaches of GPhC standards, emphasizing the serious nature of the misconduct and its impact on public confidence in the profession.

In the recent hearing, the pharmacist demonstrated substantial insight into the risks posed by his previous actions, particularly regarding the misuse of controlled drugs like zolpidem. He provided evidence of ongoing professional development, including work shadowing and CPD activities, and received positive testimonials from pharmacists he worked with.

The GPhC committee, considering the overarching objective of public protection and maintaining confidence in the profession, concluded that the pharmacist had remediated his past behavior. They determined that the risk of repetition was low and that public confidence would not be undermined by his restoration. Consequently, the application for restoration was granted without conditions, though the committee recommended the pharmacist seek mentorship to support his ongoing professional development.

This case underscores the importance of integrity and honesty in the pharmacy profession and highlights the potential for rehabilitation and restoration when a registrant demonstrates genuine insight and commitment to professional standards.