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: December 21, 2020
Allegations: Conviction for two offences of cheating the public revenue. Fraudulent manipulation of the VAT system by claiming false exports to Nigeria. Submission of false documents to HMRC to support VAT repayment claims.
Outcome: Restoration to the register
Date of Decision: September 22, 2020
Allegations: Dishonestly making false representation to make gain for self/another or cause loss to other/expose other to risk, contrary to sections 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006.
Outcome: The registrant's name was removed from the register permanently.
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
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
Date of Decision: March 21, 2024
Allegations: Possession of a Class B drug (Cannabis) and failure to disclose conviction to the GPhC. Previous misconduct leading to suspension. Non-engagement with the regulatory process.
Outcome: Suspension – 9 months
Date of Decision: February 8, 2024
Allegations: Accessed and/or viewed Person A's records without consent or clinical reason. Accessed and/or viewed Person B's records without consent or clinical reason. Accessed and/or viewed Person C's records without consent or clinical reason.
Outcome: Warning
Date of Decision: February 23, 2022
Allegations: Consumption of cannabis between March 2020 and August 2020. Conviction for possession of cannabis on 11 September 2020. Failure to notify the GPhC of the conviction within 7 days.
Outcome: Suspension for 12 months with review
Date of Decision: February 9, 2022
Allegations: Conviction for supplying a Controlled Drug of Class C without a prescription between 2015 and 2016. Possession of a Controlled Drug of Class C with intent to supply on 13 September 2016.
Outcome: Suspension for 12 months, with a review
Date of Decision: September 28, 2021
Allegations: Conviction for theft by employee at Warwick Crown Court on 21 September 2020.
Outcome: Removed from the register with interim suspension.
Date of Decision: January 11, 2021
Allegations: Conviction for multiple counts of rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault over a period of 20 years.
Outcome: Removal