Pharmacist Issued Warning for Dishonesty in Processing Refunds

The GPhC Fitness to Practise Committee reviewed the case of a pharmacist, referred to here as “the registrant,” who faced allegations of dishonesty while working at Well Pharmacy, Chester. The case highlights significant breaches of professional standards and company policies.

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Case Background

The incident occurred on 22 October 2022, when the registrant processed a refund transaction totaling £134.97 for three pain relief pens. This refund was made to their personal credit card, despite the pens not having been purchased from the pharmacy. Additionally, the registrant returned the items to pharmacy stock without verifying their safety for resale.

Company policies clearly prohibited processing one’s own transactions and required the use of personal login credentials at the till. The registrant bypassed these protocols and used another colleague’s till credentials to process the refund. This act was discovered through routine compliance checks and CCTV footage.

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Findings

The Committee concluded that the registrant’s actions amounted to misconduct, including:

1. Dishonesty: The registrant knowingly processed a fraudulent refund for personal financial gain.
2. Integrity Issues: Returning potentially unsafe items to stock without proper checks risked patient safety.
3. Policy Breaches: Violations of company rules regarding refunds and till operations compromised professional accountability.

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Fitness to Practise and Sanctions

Despite the seriousness of the misconduct, the Committee determined that the registrant’s fitness to practise was not currently impaired. Key mitigating factors included:

• The registrant’s full admissions and acceptance of responsibility.
• Demonstrated remorse and reflective statements outlining their personal and professional growth.
• Completion of remediation, including transitioning to a hospital pharmacy setting and practicing without further incident.

The Committee issued a formal warning to mark the severity of the misconduct and reinforce the importance of professional integrity. This warning will remain on the register for 12 months.

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Key Learning Points for Pharmacy Professionals

1. Honesty is Essential: Dishonest actions, even minor, compromise the trust placed in pharmacists.
2. Accountability in Processes: Strict adherence to company policies ensures the integrity of pharmacy operations and patient safety.
3. Remediation and Reflection: Proactively addressing personal and professional failings can demonstrate a commitment to maintaining professional standards.
4. Professional Leadership: Pharmacists must lead by example, upholding ethical and professional behavior at all times.