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: November 17, 2022
Allegations: Worked as a locum pharmacist at St Mary's Hospital, Isle of Wight NHS Trust. Submitted timesheets with false information, claiming more hours than worked. Dishonest actions intended to mislead the Trust for payment.
Outcome: Suspension for 9 months with review
Date of Decision: February 17, 2023
Allegations: Conviction of theft of medication from Badhams Pharmacy. Possession of prescription-only medication intended for supply to friends without a prescription. Unauthorized taking of ibuprofen and paracetamol from Badhams Pharmacy. Dishonest conduct in taking medication without entitlement.
Outcome: Suspension for nine months with a review hearing.
Date of Decision: February 7, 2023
Allegations: The registrant removed various items from Boots store without permission or payment and had no intention of paying for them. The registrant was dishonest in doing so.
Outcome: Suspension, 6 months
Date of Decision: January 23, 2025
Allegations: Made comments to Patient A suggesting autism is not lifelong and linked to vaccinations. Claimed doctors have proven MMR vaccine causes autism. Advised Patient A to detox her son from vaccinations and avoid future vaccinations. Provided Patient A with names of anti-vaccination activists on prescription paper.
Outcome: Suspension of four months
Date of Decision: September 14, 2022
Allegations: Allowed and/or permitted approximately 1000 bottles of Codeine Linctus to be ordered and/or supplied without adequate checks. Supplied codeine linctus to Patient A without adequate investigation or warnings. Inappropriately ceased supply of codeine linctus to Patient A without making a referral for possible addiction.
Outcome: Suspension (12 months) with a Review Hearing
Date of Decision: September 22, 2022
Allegations: Sexually inappropriate behavior towards colleagues Ms A and Ms B at Lloyds Pharmacy. Sexually motivated conduct in pursuit of sexual gratification or a future sexual relationship. Unprofessional and inappropriate conduct.
Outcome: Removal from the register
Date of Decision: October 7, 2022
Allegations: The registrant's fitness to practise is impaired by reason of a police caution for theft by employee, contrary to section 1(1) and 7 of the Theft Act 1968, for stealing assorted tablets from Boots PLC between 1 February 2018 and 27 August 2019.
Outcome: Suspension for 6 months, with a review.
Date of Decision: November 15, 2022
Allegations: Removed an unknown quantity of Fentanyl from the pharmacy without a valid prescription. Made irregular entries in the controlled drugs register. Dishonestly removed Fentanyl without permission, prescription, or payment. Dishonestly amended controlled drugs registers to misrepresent stock levels. Breached the Interim Suspension Order by working as a pharmacist at various sites.
Outcome: Removed
Date of Decision: September 6, 2022
Allegations: Failure to ensure controlled drug entries were accurate and up to date. Failure to maintain a tidy and hygienic pharmacy environment. Failure to carry out regular balance checks of controlled drugs. Failure to remove expired medicines from shelves.
Outcome: Suspension (4 months)
Date of Decision: August 15, 2022
Allegations: Failed to produce Private Prescription, Emergency Supply records, and CD registers during inspections. Kept pharmacy records at home, risking patient confidentiality. CD registers were not up to date, with discrepancies and missing entries. Failed to comply with improvement action plans and conditions imposed by the GPhC.
Outcome: Suspension (9 months)