Pharmacist Suspended After Stealing Pharmacy Till Cash to Pay Blackmail Linked to Sex Workers
Date of Decision: September 24, 2019
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- The registrant received a police caution for theft by employee.
- The registrant’s fitness to practise was alleged to be impaired due to this caution.
Outcome: 6 month suspension
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 6 – Pharmacy professionals must behave in a professional manner, acting with honesty and integrity.
- Standard 8 – Pharmacy professionals must speak up when things go wrong, being open and honest.
- Standard 9 – Pharmacy professionals must demonstrate leadership and take responsibility for their practice.
Case Summary
Allegations
This case centers on a registered pharmacist who received a police caution for theft by employee, specifically for repeatedly stealing cash from the pharmacy where he was employed. The thefts occurred over a six-week period during which the registrant had become ensnared in a complex and distressing situation involving blackmail. The registrant admitted to having paid two women for sexual acts, which led to a series of coercive demands for money under threat of exposure, ultimately culminating in his dishonest actions at work.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) brought the case forward on the grounds that the caution raised concerns about the registrant’s honesty and integrity, and thus, his fitness to practise.
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- Full allegations considered by the GPhC
- Panel findings and reasoning
- Outcome of the investigation
- Sanctions considered and imposed on the Pharmacist
- Key professional learning points
Original Case Document
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The original determination transcript is available to registered users.
- Download the official GPhC determination
- Full hearing transcript
- Detailed findings of fact
- Sanction reasoning
- Details of the pharmacy professionals involved