Pharmacist Jailed and Struck Off for Controlled Drug Diversion and Fraud
Date of Decision: January 26, 2018
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- The registrant was convicted at Court of the following offences:
- Count 3: Fraud by Abuse of Position
- Count 4: Fraud by Abuse of Position
- Count 5: Possession with Intent to Supply a Class C Drug
- Count 6: Possession with Intent to Supply a Class C Drug
- Count 7: Supply a Class C Drug
- Count 8: Supply a Class C Drug
- Count 9: Possession with Intent to Supply a Class B Drug
- Count 10: Possession with Intent to Supply a Class C Drug
- By reason of these convictions, the registrant’s fitness to practise was alleged to be impaired.
Outcome: Removal from the register
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 1.2 – Take action to protect the well-being of patients and the public
- Standard 1.6 – Do your best to provide medicines and other professional services safely and when patients need them
- Standard 6.1 – Act with honesty and integrity to maintain public trust and confidence in your profession
- Standard 6.2 – Do not abuse your professional position or exploit the vulnerability or lack of knowledge of others
- Standard 6.5 – Meet accepted standards of personal and professional conduct
- Standard 6.6 – Comply with legal and professional requirements and accepted guidance on professional practice
Case Summary
Allegations
This case concerned a pharmacist who was convicted of multiple criminal offences involving the fraudulent acquisition and illegal supply of prescription medicines, including controlled drugs. The misconduct took place while the registrant was working across two pharmacies and involved the abuse of professional access to pharmaceutical supply chains.
The registrant worked as an anticoagulant pharmacist at one pharmacy on Mondays and at another pharmacy for the remainder of the week. The misconduct first came to light in June 2016 when a delivery of medication arrived at one of the pharmacies containing dexamphetamine, a Class B controlled drug. The total value of the delivery was approximately £954.40. The duty pharmacist queried the delivery as the medication had not been ordered by the pharmacy. Later that day, the items and the associated invoice went missing.
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- Full allegations considered by the GPhC
- Panel findings and reasoning
- Outcome of the investigation
- Sanctions considered and imposed on the Pharmacist
- Key professional learning points
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