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: September 8, 2021
Allegations: Dishonesty in claiming payments for Medicine Use Reviews (MURs) that were not conducted. Falsification of records and attempts to cover up misconduct. Inappropriate and misleading behavior towards patients.
Outcome: Restoration to the register.
Date of Decision: February 29, 2024
Allegations: Failed to produce pharmacy records including Controlled Drugs (CD) registers during inspections. Pharmacy records were kept at home and were not up to date. Errors and discrepancies in CD registers, including missing entries and discrepancies between recorded and actual drug balances. Schedule 2 Controlled Drug not securely stored. Deficiencies in emergency supply records. Risk of breaching patient confidentiality by keeping records at home.
Outcome: Indefinite suspension
Date of Decision: January 26, 2021
Allegations: Supplying a Controlled Drug of Class C to another, between 1 February 2016 and 30 September 2016, contrary to section 4(3)(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Supplying a Controlled Drug of Class B to another, between 23 May 2016 and 30 September 2016, contrary to section 4(3)(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Selling or supplying a prescription only medicine not in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate practitioner, between 3 March 2016 and 30 September 2016, contrary to Regulation 214(1) and 255(1) and (2) of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.
Outcome: Removed
Date of Decision: February 4, 2021
Allegations: Conviction of 2 counts of doing a series of acts tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice.
Outcome: Restoration to the register
Date of Decision: May 17, 2021
Allegations: The pharmacist applied for restoration to the register with conditions imposed on his practice.
Outcome: Restoration to the register granted with conditions for 18 months.
Date of Decision: July 19, 2021
Allegations: On 23 August 2012, the registrant was the Superintendent pharmacist at Safeer Pharmacy. A supply of Amoxicillin 500mg, a prescription-only medicine, was made from the pharmacy by the counter assistant. The registrant was the responsible pharmacist at the time when the supply was made. The supply was made otherwise than in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate practitioner. The registrant knew that the supply had been made and that it was unlawful.
Outcome: Restoration to the register
Date of Decision: September 9, 2021
Allegations: The registrant was convicted of theft by employee, stealing cash totaling £8,218.45 from their employer between April 2016 and October 2019.
Outcome: Removed from the register
Date of Decision: September 14, 2021
Allegations: Theft by employee x2 Possession with intent to supply a Class C Controlled drug x2
Outcome: Removal
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
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