NI GP Pharmacist Sanctioned for Unsafe Anticoagulant Monitoring and Record-Keeping Failures

Date of Decision: June 22, 2023

Registrant's Role: Pharmacist

Allegations:

• Deficient professional performance under Paragraph 4(1)(b) of Schedule 3 to the Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order 1976.
• Lack of essential clinical knowledge.
• Frequent and serious errors undermining professional competence.
• Inadequate recording and coding of medical notes.
• Unsafe management of anticoagulant medications.
• Poor performance in conducting medication reviews and clinical interventions.
• Lack of insight and inadequate response to professional feedback.
• Unsafe practice as an Independent Prescriber.

Outcome: 12-month conditions order with detailed remediation requirements and supervision.

GPhC Standards Breached:

• Standard 2.1 – Provide safe, effective and quality care.
• Standard 2.1.1 – Promote and ensure safe, effective, and rational use of medicines.
• Standard 2.1.2 – Control and manage supply of medicines, especially those with potential for abuse or dependency.
• Standard 2.1.6 – Avoid creating risks to patient care or public safety.
• Standard 2.2.3 – Take prompt action on identified risks.
• Standard 2.3.3 – Ensure records are accurate, legible, and attributable.
• Standard 3.1.1 – Adhere to professional conduct standards.
• Standard 3.1.3 – Provide accurate, clear, and unambiguous information.
• Standard 3.1.4 – Honour professional commitments.
• Standard 4.3.2 – Work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Standard 4.4.1 – Take responsibility for own and supervised work.
• Standard 4.4.3 – Ensure proper standards in supervised staff.
• Standard 5.1.1 – Practise only when competent.
• Standard 5.1.4 – Apply knowledge and experience appropriately.

Case Summary

Original Case Document