GPhC Suspends Pharmacist for Six Months Following Dihydrocodeine Misappropriation, PMR Manipulation and Dishonesty
Date of Decision: June 16, 2026
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- Between 12 June 2024 and 3 September 2024, while acting as the Responsible Pharmacist, the registrant used the pharmacy’s ordering system to obtain nine supplies of 56 dihydrocodeine 90 mg tablets for personal use.
- The dihydrocodeine was ordered without a valid prescription and without the pharmacy’s knowledge or permission.
- Between June and September 2024, the registrant removed nine boxes of dihydrocodeine 90 mg from the pharmacy without authorisation.
- The registrant acted dishonestly because they knew that the medication had been ordered without the pharmacy’s knowledge, that they had no permission to remove it, and that they did not hold a valid prescription.
- Between June 2024 and 10 September 2024, the registrant continued to work as the Responsible Pharmacist while knowing that they were addicted to opiate medication.
- The registrant failed to disclose the addiction to the pharmacy’s superintendent pharmacist or to the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Outcome: 6 month suspension
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 5 – Pharmacy professionals must use their professional judgement
- Standard 6 – Pharmacy professionals must behave in a professional manner
- Standard 8 – Pharmacy professionals must speak up when they have concerns or when things go wrong
- Standard 9 – Pharmacy professionals must demonstrate leadership
Case Summary
Allegations
This case concerned the deliberate ordering and removal of dihydrocodeine by a pharmacist working as the Responsible Pharmacist in a community pharmacy.
Over a period of nearly three months, the registrant used the pharmacy’s ordering and patient medication record system to arrange repeated supplies of DHC Continus 90 mg tablets. The determination described this medicine as a Schedule 5 controlled drug containing dihydrocodeine. Nine boxes, each containing 56 tablets, were ordered for the registrant’s personal use without a prescription and without the pharmacy’s permission.
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Original Case Document
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