Locum Pharmacist Struck Off After Deliberate Excess Methadone Supply and Serious Dispensing Failings
Date of Decision: October 12, 2026
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- Supplying Patient A with approximately 65 ml more methadone than prescribed on one or more occasions.
- Supplying Patient A with pregabalin and/or diazepam without a valid prescription.
- Failing to accurately record the quantities of methadone supplied to Patient A.
- Giving Patient A the names of two other patients prescribed methadone.
- Breaching patient confidentiality through the alleged disclosure in particular 4.
- Supplying Patient B with approximately 80 ml of methadone instead of the prescribed 25 ml.
- Acting deliberately and/or with reckless disregard for the harm that the supplies alleged in particulars 1, 2 and/or 6 could cause.
- Using cocaine and/or crack cocaine in Patient A’s presence.
- On 4 March 2025, supplying Patient C with 28 amlodipine 10 mg tablets instead of the prescribed amitriptyline 10 mg tablets.
- On 5 March 2025, putting one patient’s medication into another patient’s bag.
- Attending work while unfit and/or behaving erratically or unprofessionally, including: Slurred speech and jittery movements on 7 March 2025; Insulting colleagues and/or saying the registrant would give them a piece of the registrant’s mind on 10 March 2025; Suggesting to a colleague that paracetamol should be crushed and snorted from the worktop; Being unsteady on the registrant’s feet and/or unfit to work; Falling asleep at work.
Outcome: Removal from the Register, with immediate interim suspension pending the removal taking effect.
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 1 – Pharmacy professionals must provide person-centred care.
- Standard 2 – Pharmacy professionals must work in partnership with others.
- Standard 5 – Pharmacy professionals must use their professional judgement.
- Standard 6 – Pharmacy professionals must behave in a professional manner.
- Standard 9 – Pharmacy professionals must demonstrate leadership.
Case Summary
Allegations
This case concerned a combination of deliberate excess methadone supply, inaccurate controlled drug records, dispensing errors and admitted workplace misconduct. The GPhC Fitness to Practise Committee heard the case remotely between 5 and 12 October 2026.
The central allegation was that the registrant supplied a vulnerable patient, Patient A, with approximately 65 ml of methadone beyond the prescribed dose. Patient A described receiving additional methadone despite already having taken a take-home dose. The committee also considered whether the registrant’s actions were deliberate and demonstrated reckless disregard for the harm they could cause.
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- Full allegations considered by the GPhC/PSNI
- Panel findings and reasoning
- Outcome of the investigation
- Sanctions considered and imposed on the Pharmacist
- Key professional learning points
Original Case Document
The original determination document is available to registered users.