Pharmacist Suspended for Dishonest Theft of Perfume and Prescription-Only Medication from Pharmacy

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Fitness to Practise Committee investigated a pharmacist after she was caught stealing perfume and attempting to take prescription-only medication without payment while working at Lloyds Pharmacy.

Between June and July 2019, she:

1. Took perfume without paying for it on at least two occasions (26 June and 3 July 2019).
2. Attempted to take perfume again on 17 July 2019.
3. Attempted to take three packs of Pantoprazole (a prescription-only medicine) on 17 July 2019, without a prescription, recording, or payment.
4. Provided inconsistent explanations when confronted and was ultimately dismissed from Lloyds Pharmacy.

The GPhC was alerted after Lloyds Pharmacy reviewed CCTV footage and identified thefts during security checks.

Findings:

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

1. Dishonest Theft of Retail and Prescription-Only Items:
   • Perfume was taken without payment on multiple occasions, with CCTV footage confirming these incidents.
   • Prescription-only medication (Pantoprazole) was taken without a valid prescription, which breached professional and legal dispensing requirements.
   • The pharmacist initially claimed she intended to return to the pharmacy the next day to pay for the items, but this was found to be untrue.
2. Failure to Provide a Consistent Explanation:
   • The pharmacist gave conflicting accounts of events, including:
     • Initially denying taking perfume or medicine.
     • Claiming the perfume was a tester, which was later disproven.
     • Asserting she forgot to bring her prescription but planned to correct the issue later, which the committee did not find credible.
   • The committee noted:“The registrant’s shifting explanations suggest a lack of candour and integrity, further damaging public confidence in the profession.”
3. Employer Disciplinary Action:
   • The pharmacist was suspended and later dismissed from Lloyds Pharmacy following an internal investigation.
   • Loss prevention officers reviewed CCTV footage showing repeated thefts.

GPhC Determination on Impairment:

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

• Multiple dishonest actions over a period of time, rather than a one-off incident.
• Lack of openness and honesty when initially confronted.
• Risk to public trust in the pharmacy profession.

The committee stated:

“Pharmacists hold a position of trust, and the registrant’s actions significantly undermined the integrity of the profession. Her dishonest behaviour cannot be overlooked.”

However, the committee acknowledged that the pharmacist had demonstrated some insight and had no prior disciplinary history.

Sanction:

The committee imposed an 8-month suspension, considering:

• Aggravating Factors:
  • Multiple acts of dishonesty over a period of weeks.
  • Dishonest actions relating to both retail and prescription-only medicines.
  • Failure to be transparent when confronted by investigators.
• Mitigating Factors:
  • No previous regulatory concerns or history of misconduct.
  • Demonstrated some insight into the impact of her actions.
  • Had undertaken courses on ethics and professional standards to address her behaviour.

The committee ruled that:

“While removal from the register was considered, the mitigating factors—including the registrant’s remorse and steps toward remediation—meant that a suspension with review was a proportionate response.”

An interim suspension was imposed immediately, preventing her from practising before the final review hearing.

Key Learning Points for Pharmacy Professionals:

This case highlights critical lessons regarding professional integrity, honesty, and handling workplace discipline.

1. Dishonesty, Even in Small Acts, Can Lead to Suspension or Removal:
   • Theft of non-medicinal items (such as perfume) is still a serious breach of professional standards.
   • Taking prescription-only medicines without proper documentation or payment is a regulatory and legal offence.
2. CCTV and Security Checks Are Standard Practice in Pharmacies:
   • Routine security checks revealed the pharmacist’s repeated thefts.
   • Pharmacy professionals should be aware that their actions are monitored and must always act with integrity.
3. Providing False or Inconsistent Explanations Worsens Regulatory Outcomes:
   • The pharmacist changed her story multiple times, which undermined her credibility.
   • Being transparent and taking responsibility at the earliest stage may help mitigate consequences.
4. Suspension Can Be Avoided with Early Remediation:
   • The pharmacist was given an opportunity to demonstrate improvement before potential reinstatement.
   • Undertaking ethics courses and reflective learning helped mitigate the sanction.
5. Public Trust in the Profession Must Be Maintained:
   • Dishonest behaviour in a pharmacy setting has serious repercussions.
   • Even first-time offenders can face suspension or removal for breaches of trust.

Conclusion:

While the pharmacist avoided removal from the register, this case serves as a strong warning that dishonest behaviour—no matter how minor it may seem—can lead to professional consequences.

The 8-month suspension reflects the seriousness of dishonesty in pharmacy, reinforcing that integrity is a fundamental expectation of all pharmacy professionals.