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: June 13, 2024
Allegations: Inappropriate touching of a colleague at a work event Sexualised comments to multiple colleagues over a period of time Inappropriate workplace interactions that breached professional boundaries Persistent unprofessional behaviour despite prior informal warnings
Outcome: Suspension for 12 months
Date of Decision: May 9, 2024
Allegations: Convicted at Newcastle Upon Tyne Crown Court for multiple offences related to indecent images. Possessed and created indecent photographs of children. Possessed extreme pornographic images depicting acts with animals.
Outcome: Removal from the GPhC register with interim suspension
Date of Decision: June 27, 2024
Allegations: Multiple instances of unsupervised medicine supply, failure to ensure controlled drug security, fraudulent Medicine Use Reviews (MURs), dishonest claims for payment, and record falsification.
Outcome: Suspension for 5 months
Date of Decision: October 23, 2024
Allegations: Unsafe prescribing practices via an online pharmacy
Outcome: Removal from the register plus interim suspension
Date of Decision: May 24, 2024
Allegations: Engaged in text conversations about supplying Codeine Linctus and Phenergan. Supplied or offered to supply these medicines without clinical need. Knew or believed they would be misused.
Outcome: Removal from the Register with interim suspension imposed
Date of Decision: May 30, 2024
Allegations: Failure to prescribe within the limits of competency. Issuing excessive opioid prescriptions. Failure to adequately assess patients or safeguard against medication misuse. Breach of professional standards, including inadequate patient identity verification and lack of GP communication. Unsafe prescribing practices leading to medication misuse and risks to patient safety.
Outcome: 12-month suspension
Date of Decision: April 29, 2024
Allegations: Supplied methadone to Patient A without a legally valid prescription Failed to maintain accurate Controlled Drug Register records Acted dishonestly when questioned by Patient A’s GP Demonstrated a lack of integrity by asking the GP not to report a dispensing error Dispensed methadone contrary to the directions on prescriptions
Outcome: Six month suspension
Date of Decision: June 3, 2024
Allegations: Falsified pharmacist initials on multiple prescriptions. Failed to ensure prescriptions were clinically checked. Dishonest conduct intended to mislead colleagues.
Outcome: Removal from the register and interim suspension
Date of Decision: July 12, 2024
Allegations: Unsafe prescribing of high-risk medicines via online pharmacy, failure to conduct proper patient assessments, dishonesty in record-keeping
Outcome: Removal from register and interim suspension
Date of Decision: July 5, 2024
Allegations: Conviction for obtaining exemption from liability by deception (two counts). Fraudulent business rate relief claims leading to overpayments of £56,941.75. Suspension order imposed following conviction. Appeal led to a review and extension of suspension period.
Outcome: Suspension lapses upon expiry; fitness to practise no longer impaired.