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:

Pharmacy Technician Suspended for Three Months Following Forgery to Obtain NPA Qualification

Date of Decision: January 10, 2020

Allegations: Forged her supervising pharmacist’s signature on documents submitted for an Accuracy Checking Technician (ACT) course. Forged her pharmacist's signature on the back of her photograph to falsely confirm her identity. Asked a friend to write fake appraisal comments to include in the course portfolio. Initially denied wrongdoing before later admitting the dishonesty.

Outcome: Suspension from the GPhC register for three months

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Lloydspharmacy Pharmacist Issued Warning for Dispensing Error, Data Misuse, and Improper Staffing Practices

Date of Decision: March 26, 2025

Allegations: Failing to report a Schedule 2 Controlled Drug dispensing error and instead visiting the patient’s home without appropriate authorisation. Accessing and using patient data (home address) from another pharmacy branch without proper justification. Allowing an unemployed former work experience individual to work in the pharmacy without proper employment arrangements. Facilitating improper payment for that individual by authorising false overtime claims through a colleague (a relative of the individual).

Outcome: Formal warning issued

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Pharmacist Issued Warning for Failing to Ensure Safe Online Dispensing Practices

Date of Decision: March 26, 2025

Allegations: Overseeing the dispensing of high-risk medications based solely on online questionnaires. Failing to ensure clinical checks, GP involvement, or follow-up when monitoring was required. Lack of due diligence in establishing a partnership with an unregulated or inadequately regulated online pharmacy. Inadequate safety protocols as Superintendent and Responsible Pharmacist during third-party dispensing arrangements.

Outcome: Formal warning issued

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Rowlands Pharmacist Issued Warning for Falsifying Controlled Drug Records and Failing to Maintain Governance

Date of Decision: March 20, 2025

Allegations: Failure to maintain accurate Controlled Drug (CD) registers, including records for methadone. Falsifying CD registers to give the appearance that balance checks had been completed. Failing to carry out required near-miss logs and balance checks following a pharmacy branch merger. Failure to escalate or speak up about increased workload pressures.

Outcome: Formal warning issued

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Pharmacist Suspended for Eight More Months Following Dishonesty in Prescription and Governance Matters

Date of Decision: March 13, 2025

Allegations: Signing a fraudulent Service Level Agreement (SLA) between a pharmacy and an NHS trust. Preparing and using false or template prescriptions to obtain pharmaceutical products. Submitting orders to pharmaceutical companies based on falsified prescriptions. Providing false information to an NHS trust regarding the intended use of medicines. Dishonestly signing another individual's signature on declaration forms. Providing false information to the GPhC during the investigation.

Outcome: Suspension from the GPhC register for eight months

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Pharmacist Placed Under Conditions Following Repeated Governance Failures in Codeine Linctus Supply

Date of Decision: March 7, 2025

Allegations: Failure to manage the risks associated with the sale of codeine linctus and prevent potential misuse or addiction. Supplying large volumes of codeine linctus without adequate clinical justification. Continuing to supply codeine linctus to two individuals despite suspicions of misuse or dependence. Failing to maintain adequate stock control, purchase records, and governance measures. Failure to engage with previous regulatory conditions, leading to an earlier suspension.

Outcome: Conditions of practice imposed for three months

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Pharmacist Removed from Register Following Caution for Offering to Supply Controlled Drugs

Date of Decision: March 4, 2025

Allegations: Accepting a police caution for offering to supply Class C controlled drugs (Temazepam, Zolpidem, Zopiclone, Midazolam). Offering to supply controlled drugs to a vulnerable individual with a history of addiction. Abusing professional trust and failing to uphold patient safety and public confidence in pharmacy. Failing to engage with the GPhC investigation or provide evidence of remediation.

Outcome: Removal from the GPhC register

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