Pharmacist Suspended for Cocaine and Cannabis Use Amid GPhC Investigation

Date of Decision: February 5, 2019

Registrant's Role: Pharmacist

Allegations:

Consumption of cocaine, a Class A controlled drug, between mid-March 2017 and mid-June 2017.
Consumption of cannabis, a Class B controlled drug, between December 2017 and July 2018.
Suffering from a health condition, the nature of which is outlined in a private schedule.

Outcome: Suspension for 5 months with a review hearing required.

GPhC Standards Breached:

Standard 6 – Be honest and trustworthy.
Standard 6.5 – Meet accepted standards of personal and professional conduct.
Standard 6.6 – Comply with legal and professional requirements and accepted guidance on professional practice.
Standard 7 – Take responsibility for your working practices.
Standard 7.8 – Ensure your actions do not impede others’ legal and professional responsibilities or pose a risk to patient care or public safety.

Case Summary

Allegations

The case concerned a pharmacist whose fitness to practise was called into question following allegations involving the misuse of controlled substances and concerns about his health. Specifically, the registrant admitted to consuming cocaine (a Class A controlled drug) between mid-March and mid-June 2017, and cannabis (a Class B controlled drug) between December 2017 and July 2018. A third allegation was made regarding an ongoing health condition, which was eventually dismissed. The misconduct was considered in the context of both personal behaviour and professional responsibilities, especially considering the registrant’s awareness of being under GPhC investigation at the time of continued substance use.

Findings

The panel found the allegations relating to drug misuse to be proven through the registrant’s admissions. The registrant denied the health-related allegation, which was subsequently heard in private and dismissed.

In assessing the facts, the panel considered the serious nature of the misconduct. Cocaine and cannabis are controlled drugs, and their use by a registered pharmacist was found to be a serious breach of the GPhC’s professional standards. Notably, the registrant admitted to attempting to manipulate a drug test using shampoo, and initially withheld information about continued cannabis use during the investigation. This raised concerns about insight and honesty.

“We consider that the Registrant’s departure from the standards is significant and has seriously fallen short of what is proper and what is expected of a professional pharmacist.”

Though the misconduct did not occur within a pharmacy, the registrant’s actions posed a potential risk to patient safety due to the possible effects on mood, cognition, and decision-making.

GPhC Determination on Impairment

The panel determined that the registrant’s fitness to practise was currently impaired due to misconduct. Rule 5(2) was central to this analysis, particularly parts (a), (b), and (c):

5(2)(a): The conduct presented a risk to the public and patients.
5(2)(b): It brought the profession into disrepute.
5(2)(c): It breached a fundamental principle of the profession — adherence to the law and professional standards.

While the panel acknowledged a period of documented abstinence and the registrant’s attempts to rehabilitate, it found insight to be developing but still limited. He lacked a structured plan to manage stress in a pharmacy setting and had not maintained up-to-date knowledge of professional practices.

Sanction

After weighing aggravating and mitigating factors, the Committee imposed a five-month suspension, noting this would protect the public and maintain public confidence in the profession.

Aggravating factors:

Continued drug use despite being under investigation.
Limited insight into the gravity of the misconduct.
No evidence of professional development during suspension.

Mitigating factors:

Documented abstinence from cocaine and cannabis.
Genuine intention to reform, supported by family testimony.

The suspension was considered proportionate, especially given the registrant had already served an interim suspension for eight months. The panel concluded:

“We do not consider that the Registrant’s behaviour… is fundamentally incompatible with being a registered pharmacist.”

A review hearing was scheduled to evaluate continued progress, including abstinence testing, evidence of reflection, professional development, and character testimonials.

Key Learning Points for Pharmacy Professionals

Controlled drug misuse is a serious breach of professional ethics and is likely to lead to findings of misconduct even if unrelated to practice settings.
Personal conduct matters – behaviour outside of work can still impact professional standing and public confidence in the pharmacy profession.
Insight and remediation are crucial. Acknowledging misconduct, taking active steps toward recovery, and having a structured plan for re-entry into practice are key to regaining professional trust.
Keeping up-to-date with professional knowledge during a period of suspension or career break is essential to demonstrate ongoing fitness to practise.
Transparency is non-negotiable. Attempts to mislead regulators or testing bodies, even through omission, can severely damage credibility and weigh heavily in regulatory decisions.

This case underscores the GPhC’s strict stance on substance misuse and highlights the standards expected of pharmacy professionals both in and out of their professional roles.

Original Case Document

The full determination transcript is available to logged in users.