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: May 10, 2023
Allegations: The case involves a review of an interim order of conditions imposed on a pharmacist's practice, requiring compliance with specific conditions related to employment, supervision, and prescribing practices.
Outcome: Order Varied and Continued (by consent)
Date of Decision: May 31, 2023
Allegations: Failure to produce Private Prescription, Emergency Supply records, and CD registers during inspections. Keeping pharmacy records at home, risking patient confidentiality. CD registers not up to date and discrepancies found. Failure to implement an action plan to update records. Failure to produce SOPs during inspections.
Outcome: Suspension (9 months)
Date of Decision: June 8, 2023
Allegations: On 27 October 2020, the registrant removed 4 x 200ml bottles of codeine linctus SF from Tuebrook Pharmacy without making payment. On 28 October 2020, the registrant removed 4 bottles of 200ml codeine linctus BP from Upton Rocks Pharmacy without making payment.
Outcome: Suspension, 4 months with review
Date of Decision: May 3, 2023
Allegations: Dishonesty by reporting in sick to one employer while working for another. Working simultaneously for two employers during contracted hours. Misrepresentation of employment status to employers.
Outcome: Suspension for 6 months with a review hearing
Date of Decision: April 27, 2023
Allegations: On 9 February 2019, the registrant emailed confidential patient information to a personal email account, including names, dates of birth, NHS numbers, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and GP details. The registrant's actions were dishonest, intending to use the information for personal and/or financial purposes. The registrant accessed the information without clinical justification or need. On 15 February 2019, the registrant denied involvement in the incident when questioned by the Superintendent Pharmacist for Tesco Stores Ltd. The registrant's denial was dishonest, knowing they had sent the spreadsheet to their personal email address.
Outcome: Suspension (3 months)
Date of Decision: February 9, 2023
Allegations: Failure to prescribe within the limits of competency and/or scope of prescribing practice. Failure to prescribe in accordance with GMC Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices guidance. Failure to prescribe medication in such a way as to safeguard patients and minimize the risk of medication being misused, overused, or abused. Specific failures in prescribing practices for multiple patients, including inadequate consultations and lack of communication with GPs.
Outcome: Suspension for 10 months, with review
Date of Decision: April 14, 2023
Allegations: Conviction for fraud by abuse of position. Being concerned in supplying a controlled drug (Class B).
Outcome: Removed
Date of Decision: April 25, 2023
Allegations: The registrant's fitness to practise was impaired by reason of a police caution for theft by employee, contrary to section 1(1) and 7 of the Theft Act 1968, involving the theft of assorted tablets from Boots PLC between 1 February 2018 and 27 August 2019.
Outcome: Order to lapse on expiry, 7 May 2023. The registrant's fitness to practise is no longer impaired.
Date of Decision: April 11, 2023
Allegations: Dishonest removal of fragrance testers from Boots pharmacy in 2010, leading to impaired fitness to practise due to misconduct.
Outcome: Application for restoration granted without conditions.
Date of Decision: April 25, 2023
Allegations: The registrant received a police caution for theft by employee, having removed household goods and toiletries from her employer, Wards Chemist Limited, without payment between April 2020 and November 2020.
Outcome: Suspension for 6 months