Fitness to Practise Cases

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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 Fraudulent Refunds at Boots

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

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Pharmacist Suspended for 12 Months Following Misconduct Findings

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

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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

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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

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