Pharmacist Given 12-Month Conditions for Inadequate Control of Codeine Linctus Sales
Date of Decision: November 2, 2023
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- While working as the owner and Responsible Pharmacist at F.F. & R. Stevenson Pharmacy in Hull, the pharmacist:
- Failed to adequately manage the risks associated with selling codeine linctus between July 2017 and September 2020.
- Supplied large volumes of codeine linctus without proper safeguards, including:
- Not keeping records of invoices or monitoring purchases.
- Failing to track or restrict sales to repeat customers.
- Not offering alternative treatments or referring customers to doctors.
- Supplied excessive quantities of codeine linctus to two individuals (Persons A and B), despite knowing or suspecting they were misusing or addicted to it.
- Allowed these customers to purchase up to two 200ml bottles every few days or weekly over several years.
- Did not attend the GPhC hearing and submitted only a short written response admitting to selling codeine linctus to an inspector.
Outcome: Imposed conditions on practice for 12 months
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 1 – Provide Person-Centred Care
- Standard 5 – Use Professional Judgment
- Standard 9 – Demonstrate Leadership
Case Summary
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Fitness to Practise Committee investigated a pharmacist after concerns were raised about the sale of large quantities of codeine linctus without proper safeguards.
Between July 2017 and September 2020, the pharmacist:
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- Full allegations considered by the GPhC/PSNI
- Panel findings and reasoning
- Outcome of the investigation
- Sanctions considered and imposed on the Pharmacist
- Key professional learning points
Original Case Document
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