Pharmacist Warned After Importing and Using Unlicensed Medicines from China

Allegations

This case concerned a pharmacist who, between June and October 2023, purchased multiple prescription-only medicines from a Chinese vendor without holding valid prescriptions. The substances included Semaglutide (a GLP-1 agonist often used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and off-label for weight management), Tianeptine (a non-licensed psychoactive compound with opioid receptor activity), Nitrofurantoin, Amoxicillin, and Baclofen. The registrant admitted to consuming Tianeptine in August 2023, which is not licensed for use in the UK and poses considerable risks due to its unregulated sourcing and pharmacological effects.

The pharmacist’s actions came to light after colleagues at a hospital became aware that he had ordered the drugs from a vendor called Longilatbio in China. A subsequent referral was made to the GPhC, prompting a regulatory investigation.