Pharmacist Removed from GPhC Register for Diverting Over 29,000 Controlled Drug Packs Worth £1 Million to the Black Market

Date of Decision: October 13, 2021

Registrant's Role: Pharmacist

Allegations:

• The pharmacist was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court on 9 February 2021 of:
• Supplying Diazepam (Class C) between 1 February 2016 and 9 August 2017
• Supplying Nitrazepam (Class C) between 1 February 2016 and 9 August 2017
• Supplying Tramadol (Class C) between 1 February 2016 and 9 August 2017
• Supplying Zolpidem (Class C) between 1 February 2016 and 9 August 2017
• Supplying Zopiclone (Class C) between 1 February 2016 and 9 August 2017
• The pharmacist was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment on 2 March 2021 for his role in diverting over 29,000 packs of controlled drugs from the legal supply chain.
• The estimated black-market value of these drugs was over £1 million.
• He was accused of impersonating another pharmacist (Pharmacist A) in correspondence with the regulator to cover up the illegal supply.
• When first confronted, he claimed he was under duress from a criminal gang but later admitted to financially benefiting from the illegal supply chain, receiving an estimated £60,000 in illicit payments.
• The drugs were supplied without prescriptions, raising serious risks of misuse and addiction.

Outcome: Removal from the GPhC register

GPhC Standards Breached:

• Standard 6 – Behave in a Professional Manner
• Standard 8 – Speak Up When Things Go Wrong
• Standard 9 – Demonstrate Leadership

Case Summary

Original Case Document