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 25, 2022
Allegations: Possessing a medicinal product for the purpose of wholesale distribution otherwise in accordance with a licence, contrary to Regulation 18(1) and Regulation 34(1) of The Human Medicines Regulations 2012. Supplying a controlled drug of class C to another, contrary to section 4(3)(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Outcome: Removed
Date of Decision: June 29, 2022
Allegations: Theft from Tesco and Boots while working as a pharmacist Use of store systems to fraudulently obtain PlayStation Network (PSN) card points Failure to report a police caution to the GPhC Dishonesty and lack of integrity
Outcome: Removal from the Register with interim suspension
Date of Decision: June 1, 2022
Allegations: Convicted of two counts of fraud and possession of a Class A controlled drug
Outcome: Removal from the register and interim suspension
Date of Decision: May 25, 2022
Allegations: Possessing a medicinal product for wholesale distribution without a license (contrary to The Human Medicines Regulations 2012). Supplying a controlled drug (Class C) to another person (contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971).
Outcome: Removal from the register plus interim suspension
Date of Decision: April 12, 2022
Allegations: Not specified in the determination summary
Outcome: Interim suspension order for 18 months
Date of Decision: April 11, 2024
Allegations: Review of 12-month suspension
Outcome: Current order to lapse upon expiry (17 April 2024)
Date of Decision: March 28, 2024
Allegations: Fraudulently obtained refunds from employer (Boots) amounting to £2,018.59 Acted dishonestly by falsely claiming refunds for high-value products Misused employer's refund system and deceived a junior colleague
Outcome: Removal from the Register plus interim suspension
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