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: 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)
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