Fitness to Practise Cases

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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:

  • Pharmacists & Pharmacy Technicians – to understand common regulatory pitfalls.
  • Employers & HR Teams – to learn about professional accountability and compliance.
  • Pharmacy Students – to prepare for real-world ethical challenges in pharmacy practice.

How to use this case summary database:

  • Search for specific cases using the search box above. You can search by keyword (e.g., "controlled drugs," "dishonesty," "suspension"), by sanction type (suspension, removal, warning) or issue type (dishonesty, prescribing errors, controlled drugs, etc.)
  • Alternatively, scroll down to browse the latest FtP case summaries.

Why it matters:

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.

Latest FtP case summaries:

Pharmacist Removed from Register for Supplying Controlled Drugs Illegally

Date of Decision: October 13, 2021

Allegations: Supplying a controlled drug (Diazepam) of Class C to another between 1 February 2016 and 9 August 2017. Supplying a controlled drug (Nitrazepam) of Class C to another between 1 February 2016 and 9 August 2017. Supplying a controlled drug (Tramadol) of Class C to another between 1 February 2016 and 9 August 2017. Supplying a controlled drug (Zolpidem) of Class C to another between 1 February 2016 and 9 August 2017. Supplying a controlled drug (Zopiclone) of Class C to another between 1 February 2016 and 9 August 2017.

Outcome: Removed

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Scamming Pharmacist Removed from Register Due to Fraud Convictions

Date of Decision: February 3, 2022

Allegations: The registrant committed three frauds between 2018 and 2019, extracting a total of £288,200 from Person A under false pretenses. The registrant falsely claimed to have cancer to extract £127,150 from Person A for supposed treatment costs. The registrant fraudulently claimed £121,339.55 from Company A for non-existent business expenses.

Outcome: Removed

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Pharmacist’s Misconduct in Codeine Linctus Supply Leads to Conditions Imposed

Date of Decision: November 2, 2023

Allegations: Did not adequately manage the risks associated with sales of codeine linctus and minimise the potential for patient misuse or addiction. Supplied up to 2 x 200ml bottles of codeine linctus to Person A approximately every three days without sufficient clinical justification and with knowledge or suspicion of misuse. Supplied up to 2 x 200ml bottles of codeine linctus to Person B approximately once per week without sufficient clinical justification and with knowledge or suspicion of misuse.

Outcome: Conditions, 12 months

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Pharmacist’s Fitness to Practise Impaired Due to Mismanagement of Controlled Drugs

Date of Decision: November 9, 2023

Allegations: Failure to ensure controlled drug entries were accurate and up to date between 2017 and 2019. Failure to maintain a tidy and hygienic pharmacy environment. Failure to carry out regular balance checks of controlled drugs. Failure to comply with conditions imposed by previous committees.

Outcome: Suspension for 9 months with a review

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