Pharmacist Allowed to Return to Practice After Suspension for Dishonesty and Misconduct

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Fitness to Practise Committee reviewed the case of a pharmacist, referred to here as “the registrant,” who had previously been suspended for 12 months due to serious dishonesty and misconduct. The case involved unauthorized supply of prescription-only medications, falsification of prescription records, and submission of a fraudulent reference for employment. Following significant remediation efforts, the registrant was deemed fit to return to unrestricted practice.

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Key Allegations and Findings

1. Unauthorized Supply of Prescription Medications
   • In 2019, the registrant supplied multiple prescription-only medications to two vulnerable patients without valid prescriptions.
   • Medications included co-codamol, losartan, warfarin, bisoprolol, amitriptyline, aspirin, and lisinopril.
   • The registrant did not record the medication supply in the patient medication record, concealing the transactions from the pharmacy.
2. Tampering with Prescription Labels and Deception
   • The registrant reprinted prescription labels from previous supplies and cut off the section showing the pharmacy’s details.
   • Patients were misled into believing their medication had been lawfully prescribed and dispensed.
3. Falsification of Employment Reference
   • In 2020, the registrant created a fake email account in the name of a previous employer to submit a falsified reference to a prospective employer.
   • The reference contained misleading information and included a forged signature.
   • The registrant admitted to the deception when confronted by the employer.

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Previous Findings of Impairment

The original Fitness to Practise hearing in July 2023 determined that the registrant’s actions amounted to serious dishonesty and professional misconduct. The committee found that:

• The registrant’s actions breached public trust and fundamental pharmacy standards.
• There was a risk to patient safety due to unauthorized dispensing of medications.
• The registrant acted for personal financial gain, attempting to set up a private medication delivery service without employer consent.
• The dishonesty was deliberate and premeditated, spanning two separate incidents a year apart.

Due to the severity of the misconduct, the GPhC imposed a 12-month suspension with a requirement for a review before potential reinstatement.

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Remediation and Fitness to Practise Review

At the review hearing in July 2024, the committee considered the registrant’s remediation efforts, which included:

• Reflective Statements:
  • A detailed essay analyzing the reasons behind the dishonesty.
  • Acknowledgment of how the misconduct breached public trust and harmed professional integrity.
• Training and Education:
  • Completed courses on Probity and Ethics in Practice and Insight and Remediation in Practice.
  • Engaged with professional development resources such as the Pharmaceutical Journal and CPPE.
• Professional and Personal Growth:
  • Joined a mentorship program and maintained regular discussions on ethical decision-making.
  • Undertook voluntary work at a food bank and religious community center.
  • Provided letters of apology to impacted employers and individuals.

The committee found that:

• The registrant demonstrated genuine remorse and deep reflection on their past misconduct.
• The risk of repetition was now low, given the extensive remediation efforts.
• The registrant’s integrity could now be relied upon, supported by positive testimonials.
• The 12-month suspension had served its purpose in maintaining public confidence in the profession.

Based on these findings, the committee concluded that the registrant’s fitness to practise was no longer impaired and permitted a return to unrestricted practice.

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Key Learning Points for Pharmacy Professionals

1. Integrity is Essential:
   • Honesty and transparency are fundamental to the pharmacy profession.
   • Any form of dishonesty, even outside of patient interactions, can result in serious consequences.
2. Regulatory Bodies Prioritize Patient Safety:
   • Supplying medications without valid prescriptions and falsifying records can pose significant risks to patients.
   • Such breaches are taken extremely seriously by the GPhC.
3. Remediation and Reflection Can Restore Fitness to Practise:
   • Pharmacists who demonstrate deep insight, remorse, and tangible remediation may be able to return to practice.
   • Engaging in professional development, mentorship, and voluntary service strengthens rehabilitation efforts.
4. Public Confidence in the Profession Must Be Maintained:
   • Fitness to Practise sanctions are not only about punishment but also about upholding trust in pharmacy professionals.
   • Returning to practice requires demonstrating that misconduct will not be repeated.