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: August 8, 2024
Allegations: Improper storage and disposal of confidential waste, controlled drugs, and syringes. Patient confidentiality breach. Dishonesty in reporting the incident to NHS Data Security. Failure to address concerns promptly.
Outcome: Suspension for 3 months with a review.
Date of Decision: October 2, 2024
Allegations: Sending sexually inappropriate messages to a colleague. Physical misconduct (squeezing a colleague's buttock). Retaliation against the colleague for reporting his behavior. Making intimidating comments and harassment.
Outcome: Suspension for 12 months with a review.
Date of Decision: August 20, 2024
Allegations: Smuggling cannabis, SIM card, and SD cards into prison premises. Concealing prohibited items during a security search. Providing false information when confronted.
Outcome: Suspension for 10 months with a review before the end of the period.
Date of Decision: September 19, 2024
Allegations: Attended work under the influence of cocaine. Used cocaine on Trust premises. Convicted of possession of a controlled Class A drug (cocaine).
Outcome: Suspension for 6 months (with interim suspension order)
Date of Decision: October 19, 2024
Allegations: Failure to ensure robust identity checks. Oversight of inappropriate prescribing practices. Lack of sufficient risk assessments and safeguards. Enabling the supply of high-risk medications without adequate clinical oversight. Involvement with regulatory circumvention practices.
Outcome: Warning issued, plus conditions imposed on the pharmacy, including the cessation of certain operations.
Date of Decision: October 3, 2024
Allegations: Inadequate governance and risk management systems for online pharmacy services. Improper dispensing of high-risk medications (e.g., codeine linctus, promethazine). Failure to ensure online prescribers followed UK prescribing guidance. Dispensing prescriptions for an international service (GenderGP) without conducting appropriate risk assessments. Insufficient safeguarding policies for vulnerable patients, including minors.
Outcome: Conditions of Practice for 12 months for all three registrants
Date of Decision: October 9, 2024
Allegations: Dishonestly processed a refund for pain relief pens for personal gain, bypassed company policies, and improperly returned items to stock without assessing their safety.
Outcome: Warning issued; fitness to practise not currently impaired.
Date of Decision: October 22, 2024
Allegations: Attempted removal of controlled drugs (Tramadol) without prescription or payment and subsequent dishonesty.
Outcome: Suspension for six months with a review towards the end of the period.
Date of Decision: November 14, 2024
Allegations: Dishonestly dispensed controlled drugs to themselves without valid prescriptions, failed to maintain accurate CD records, and improperly dispensed methadone.
Outcome: Removal from the register, with interim suspension imposed.
Date of Decision: November 7, 2024
Allegations: Misuse of Covid-19 testing services, improper record-keeping, dishonesty in issuing certificates, lack of UKAS accreditation, and misleading behavior during the inspection.
Outcome: Suspension, 12 months with review