Your guide to Pharmacy Law and Ethics
This archive contains General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Fitness to Practise (FtP) case summaries, detailing regulatory decisions affecting pharmacy professionals in the UK.
Each case provides insight into professional misconduct, errors, and ethical breaches that led to sanctions such as suspension, removal, or warnings. These summaries are valuable for:
The decisions in these cases shape the legal and ethical landscape of pharmacy practice. Staying informed can help pharmacy professionals avoid similar mistakes and maintain high professional standards.
Date of Decision: March 12, 2021
Allegations: Conviction for voyeurism on multiple occasions between July 2017 and October 2018. Conviction for taking indecent images of a child in August 2018.
Outcome: Removal from the register
Date of Decision: October 21, 2021
Allegations: Conviction for theft by employee of prescription medicines while employed as a locum pharmacist. Conviction for supplying prescription drugs in contravention of regulations.
Outcome: Application for restoration to the register granted.
Date of Decision: January 7, 2022
Allegations: On 24 February 2021, the registrant was convicted at the Merseyside Magistrates’ Court for stealing medications and other items valued at £43,842 between 4th January 2019 and 12th October 2019, contrary to sections 1 and 7 of the Theft Act 1968.
Outcome: Removed
Date of Decision: March 12, 2021
Allegations: Conviction for voyeurism on multiple occasions between July 2017 and October 2018. Conviction for taking indecent images of a child.
Outcome: Removed
Date of Decision: December 14, 2021
Allegations: Removed a Pharmacy’s controlled drugs register for methadone and took it home. Entrusted the controlled drugs register to a non-pharmacist third party. Supplied Flucloxacillin to himself without a prescription. Supplied Venlafaxine to himself without a prescription. Left boxes of Ritalin outside the controlled drugs cabinet. Stored patient-returned controlled drugs in a locker for two weeks. Removed date-expired and/or patient-returned Nicorette products for personal use. Removed date-expired Nicorette and vitamin products from a second pharmacy for personal use. Engaged an unqualified person to assist in a pharmacy.
Outcome: Application granted
Date of Decision: August 2, 2023
Allegations: Dispensed controlled drugs to patients without a prescription. Failed to ensure the safe dispensing of controlled drugs by self-checking. Instructed dispensers to give controlled drugs without supervision. Failed to report incidents on the company reporting system in a timely manner.
Outcome: Suspension for 6 months
Date of Decision: October 18, 2023
Allegations: Failed to ensure appropriate indemnity insurance for the pharmacy between 6 April 2010 and 29 November 2020. Dishonestly declared having professional indemnity insurance during GPhC registration renewals from 2009 to 2020. Misled a GPhC inspector about the lapse of indemnity insurance. Dishonestly concealed the full duration of operating without indemnity insurance.
Outcome: Suspension of three months, no review
Date of Decision: November 10, 2023
Allegations: Conviction for dangerous driving on 11 October 2022. Failure to notify the General Pharmaceutical Council of the conviction within 7 days as required.
Outcome: Removal from the Register
Date of Decision: November 20, 2023
Allegations: Conviction of theft of medication from Badhams Pharmacy. Possession of prescription-only medication intended for supply to friends without a prescription. Dishonest conduct by taking ibuprofen and/or paracetamol without permission or payment.
Outcome: Suspension (6 months)
Date of Decision: February 3, 2020
Allegations: Conviction of theft from a shop or stall on 27 October 2017 at Ipswich Crown Court. Conviction of absconding on 2 August 2018 at Ipswich Crown Court.
Outcome: Removal from the Register