NI Pharmacist Given Criminal Convictions for Unlawful Supply and MDS Failures
Date of Decision: June 26, 2013
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- The registrant pleaded guilty to and was convicted of 13 summary offences relating to the supply of prescription-only medicines without valid prescriptions between January 2010 and October 2010, while acting as the Responsible Pharmacist.
- The offences included unlawful supply of: Temazepam to Patient A without prescriptions; Amlodipine to Patient A without prescriptions; Lansoprazole to Patient A without prescriptions; Tramadol to Patient B without prescriptions; Betahistine (SERC) to Patient C without prescriptions; Atorvastatin to Patient F without prescriptions; Lansoprazole to Patient F without prescriptions.
- Incorrect dispensing incidents included: Supplying only 8 tablets of Fosamax instead of the prescribed 20 tablets; Supplying Bumetanide instead of Furosemide; Supplying Pantoprazole instead of Omeprazole; Supplying Temazepam 20mg instead of Temazepam 10mg; Supplying Quinine Sulphate 300mg instead of 200mg. The misconduct occurred primarily in relation to the preparation of Monitored Dosage System (MDS) cassettes and involved six patients, some of whom were vulnerable.
- The registrant failed to update Patient Medication Records (PMRs) after prescriptions were received or ensure this was done.
- The registrant breached multiple principles and obligations of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland’s Code of Ethics 2009, including principles relating to patient safety, professional judgement, competence, honesty, integrity, and maintenance of proper standards.
Outcome: Conditions imposed on registration for a period of 15 months
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 1 – Make the safety and welfare of patients your prime concern
- Standard 4 – Exercise professional judgement in the interests of patients and the public
- Standard 6 – Maintain and develop professional knowledge and competence
- Standard 7 – Act with honesty and integrity
- Standard 8 – Provide a high standard of practice and care at all times
Case Summary
Allegations
This case concerned a pharmacist who, over a prolonged period of approximately ten months (January to October 2010), engaged in repeated unlawful supply of prescription-only medicines (POMs) and multiple dispensing errors while acting as the Responsible Pharmacist in a community pharmacy setting .
The registrant pleaded guilty to and was convicted of 13 summary offences under the Medicines Act 1968. The offences related primarily to the supply of medicines without valid prescriptions and to errors arising during the preparation of Monitored Dosage System (MDS) cassettes.
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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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