Pharmacist Removed Following Unsafe Prescribing via Online Pharmacy
Date of Decision: October 23, 2024
Allegations: Unsafe prescribing practices via an online pharmacy
Outcome: Removal from the register plus interim suspension
Fitness to Practise Cases
[ivory-search id="5173" title="FtP cases search form"]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:
- Pharmacists & Pharmacy Technicians – to understand common regulatory pitfalls.
- Employers & HR Teams – to learn about professional accountability and compliance.
- Pharmacy Students – to prepare for real-world ethical challenges in pharmacy practice.
How to use this case summary database:
- Search for specific cases using the search box above. You can search by keyword (e.g., "controlled drugs," "dishonesty," "suspension"), by sanction type (suspension, removal, warning) or issue type (dishonesty, prescribing errors, controlled drugs, etc.)
- Alternatively, scroll down to browse the latest FtP case summaries.
Why it matters:
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.
Latest FtP case summaries:
Pharmacist Removed from Register for Supplying Codeine Linctus and Phenergan Without Clinical Justification
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
Pharmacist Suspended for Unsafe Online Prescribing Practices
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
Pharmacist Suspended for Six Months Following Methadone Dispensing Errors and Lack of Integrity
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
Pharmacy Technician Removed for Falsifying Pharmacist Signatures on Prescriptions
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
Pharmacist Removed Following Unsafe Online Prescribing Practices
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
Pharmacist’s Suspension Lapses After Dishonesty Conviction Review
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.
Pharmacist Removed from Register for Sexual Misconduct During Patient Consultation
Date of Decision: July 12, 2024
Allegations: Conducting an unauthorized physical examination of a patient requesting emergency contraception. Inappropriate and non-clinically justified touching of the patient's breasts, pubic area, genitalia, and clitoris. Touching the patient without express consent. The nature of the touching was determined to be sexual and sexually motivated.
Outcome: Removal from the GPhC register; interim suspension applied immediately
Pharmacist Allowed to Return to Practice After Suspension for Dishonesty and Misconduct
Date of Decision: July 11, 2024
Allegations: Supplying prescription-only medications to patients without a valid prescription. Reprinting and modifying prescription labels to remove pharmacy details. Dishonesty in misleading patients and employer about the validity of medication supplies. Creating a false employment reference and falsifying a referee’s signature. Submitting the falsified reference to secure employment.
Outcome: Previous 12-month suspension lifted; pharmacist permitted to return to unrestricted practice.
Pharmacist Suspended for Attending Work in an Unfit State and Drink Driving Conviction
Date of Decision: July 17, 2024
Allegations: Convicted of drink driving (99 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath). Attended work as the sole pharmacist while in an unfit state. Failed to ensure the safety of patients and colleagues due to impaired state. Colleagues had to close the pharmacy due to concerns over the registrant’s condition.
Outcome: Suspension for 6 months with a review.