NI Pharmacist Issued Warning After Self-Supplying IVF Medicines Without Valid Prescriptions and Failing to Maintain Records
Date of Decision: June 10, 2021
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- Between 1 August 2017 and 6 February 2018, the registrant supplied prescription only medicines (POMs) to herself other than in accordance with a prescription from an appropriate practitioner, contrary to Regulation 214 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.
- Between 1 August 2017 and 6 February 2018, as a person conducting a retail pharmacy business, the registrant failed to make, or cause to be made, entries in the Patient Medication Record (PMR) and/or Private Prescription Register for every sale and/or supply of a POM, contrary to Regulation 253 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.
- Between 1 August 2017 and 6 February 2018, the registrant supplied POMs to herself in a manner that was not open and transparent and constituted an abuse of her position as a pharmacist, thereby failing to act with integrity.
- By reason of the above misconduct, the registrant breached the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland’s Code of Professional Standards of Conduct, Ethics and Performance (2016).
- The registrant’s actions brought the profession into disrepute and undermined public confidence.
Outcome: Warning
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 3.1 – Act with honesty and integrity at all times
- Standard 3.1.1 – Adhere to accepted and acceptable standards of personal and professional conduct at all times both inside and outside the work environment
- Standard 3.1.2 – Maintain public trust and confidence in your profession by acting with honesty and integrity in your dealings with others
- Standard 3.1.7 – Ensure that documents completed or signed are not false or misleading, and that recorded information is correct, complete and not misleading
Case Summary
Allegations
This case concerned a registered pharmacist employed as a pharmacy manager at a community pharmacy in Northern Ireland. The matter arose following a whistleblower complaint and an internal investigation by her employer, which ultimately led to her dismissal.
Between August 2017 and February 2018, the registrant ordered and supplied prescription only medicines (POMs) to herself in connection with fertility treatment (IVF). The medications were not identified by name in the published determination, but the evidence referred to multiple POM items, including injectable preparations and a course of 90 doses of a further medicine. The factual matrix included:
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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
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