NI Pharmacist Suspended After Theft of Pregabalin and Diazepam Returns to Practice Under 18-Month Conditions

Date of Decision: June 16, 2026

Registrant's Role: Pharmacist

Allegations:

• Unlawfully obtained prescription-only medicines for their own or another person’s use without a valid prescription.
• Failed to make any record of the transactions relating to those medicines.
• Abused their position as a pharmacist to unlawfully obtain medicinal products that were not available to the general public without a prescription.
• Faced an additional allegation covering the period between 01 January 2023 and 15 March 2024.
• Failed, either promptly or at all, to inform the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland of circumstances known to them that may have called their fitness to practise into question or had the potential to bring the profession into disrepute.
• The registrant also faced conviction-related allegations arising from criminal offences. On 08 October 2024, at Laganside Magistrates’ Court, Belfast, the registrant was convicted of: Unlawful possession of pregabalin, a Class C controlled drug under Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; Unlawful possession of diazepam, a Class C controlled drug under Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; Theft of medication belonging to another person between 01 January 2024 and 15 March 2024, contrary to section 1 of the Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969.
• On 19 November 2024, the registrant was sentenced to a Community Service Order requiring 180 hours of unpaid work.

Outcome: The previous suspension was replaced with an 18-month conditions order

GPhC Standards Breached:

• Standard 6 – Pharmacy professionals must behave in a professional manner.
• Standard 9 – Pharmacy professionals must demonstrate leadership.
• Standard 8 – Pharmacy professionals must speak up when they have concerns or when things go wrong.

Case Summary

Original Case Document