Pharmacist Suspended for Unlawful Supply of Class C Drugs Worth Up to £1.4 Million

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Fitness to Practise Committee investigated a pharmacist after his conviction for unlawfully supplying large quantities of controlled drugs.

Between July 2015 and September 2016, he:

1. Ordered excessive quantities of controlled drugs through his three pharmacies.
2. Supplied these drugs unlawfully without proper authorisation.
3. Lied to investigators and refused to disclose where the drugs were sent.
4. Possessed large quantities of controlled drugs without proper records or accountability.

The MHRA conducted an unannounced inspection on 13 September 2016, uncovering huge stockpiles of unaccounted-for controlled drugs.

Findings:

The Fitness to Practise Committee found that the pharmacist’s actions amounted to serious professional misconduct, considering:

1. Massive Quantities of Controlled Drugs Illegally Supplied:
   • Over 1.4 million tablets of controlled drugs were unlawfully supplied.
   • The street value was estimated between £854,000 and £1.4 million.
   • He stockpiled and sold drugs far beyond legitimate prescription needs.
2. Failure to Comply with Regulatory Requirements:
   • His pharmacy had a Wholesale Dealer’s Authorisation (WDA) but did not have a Home Office Controlled Drugs Licence (HOCDL).
   • Despite knowing the legal requirements, he knowingly ignored them.
3. Deception and Lack of Transparency:
   • He lied to investigators about the source and destination of the controlled drugs.
   • He never disclosed how much money he earned from selling the drugs.
4. Criminal Conviction and Sentencing:
   • He pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court on 20 January 2020.
   • He was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment.
   • The judge remarked:“You ordered vast quantities of drugs far beyond legitimate prescription needs. The sheer scale of this operation means immediate imprisonment is inevitable.”

GPhC Determination on Impairment:

The GPhC ruled that the pharmacist’s fitness to practise was impaired, citing:

• Severe public safety risks due to large-scale diversion of controlled drugs.
• Significant damage to public trust in the pharmacy profession.
• Failure to take full responsibility for his actions.

The committee highlighted concerns about his insight, stating:

“The Registrant has expressed regret but continues to focus on his personal health rather than taking full responsibility for his actions.”

Despite his claims of illness contributing to his behaviour, the committee concluded that the seriousness of his offences required a clear regulatory response.

Sanction:

The committee imposed a 12-month suspension, considering:

• Aggravating Factors:
  • The offences took place over 14 months and involved massive drug quantities.
  • The pharmacist deliberately ignored legal obligations.
  • His deception and refusal to disclose buyers obstructed investigations.
• Mitigating Factors:
  • He pleaded guilty early in court proceedings.
  • He was diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder, which may have impacted his decision-making.
  • He completed his prison sentence and engaged with medical treatment.

However, the committee ruled that:

“The scale and duration of the pharmacist’s criminal conduct, and the damage to the profession’s reputation, mean a sanction is unavoidable.”

A review hearing will be required before he can return to practice, ensuring he has fully reflected on the case and addressed concerns about his judgment and ethics.

Key Learning Points for Pharmacy Professionals:

This case highlights critical lessons regarding controlled drug regulations, professional accountability, and criminal conduct.

1. Illegally Supplying Controlled Drugs Has Serious Consequences:
   • Pharmacists must follow strict legal procedures when handling controlled drugs.
   • Failure to comply can result in imprisonment and removal from the register.
2. Pharmacists Are Responsible for Ensuring Proper Drug Distribution:
   • Even pharmacy owners must follow the law and not misuse their access to controlled substances.
   • Ordering and stockpiling excessive quantities of drugs without oversight is a major red flag.
3. Dishonesty and Concealment Worsen Regulatory Outcomes:
   • Failing to disclose full details to investigators reflects poorly on professional integrity.
   • Transparency and full cooperation with regulators are essential to maintaining trust.
4. GPhC Will Enforce Strong Sanctions for Large-Scale Drug Diversion:
   • The committee imposed a long suspension despite mitigating factors.
   • The sheer volume of controlled drugs involved made a strong regulatory response necessary.
5. Pharmacists Must Maintain Ethical and Legal Compliance at All Times:
   • Being a business owner does not exempt pharmacists from ethical and legal responsibilities.
   • Professional accountability requires that all pharmacy operations comply with legal frameworks.