Pharmacist Removed from GPhC Register for Diverting Over 29,000 Controlled Drug Packs Worth £1 Million to the Black Market

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Fitness to Practise Committee investigated a pharmacist after he was convicted of illegally supplying over 29,000 packs of controlled drugs (Class C) worth more than £1 million to the black market.

Between February 2016 and August 2017, he:

1. Ordered excessive quantities of controlled drugs through the pharmacy he worked at.
2. Supplied these drugs without prescriptions to unknown buyers.
3. Impersonated another pharmacist to cover up the illegal supply.
4. Claimed he was under duress from a criminal gang but later admitted financial gain of around £60,000.

The GPhC was alerted after concerns were raised about unusually high orders of controlled drugs from the pharmacy.

Findings:

The Fitness to Practise Committee found that the pharmacist’s conduct amounted to serious professional misconduct, considering:

1. Large-Scale Illegal Supply of Controlled Drugs:
   • Over 29,000 packs of Diazepam, Nitrazepam, Tramadol, Zolpidem, and Zopiclone were unlawfully diverted.
   • The estimated street value exceeded £1 million.
   • He ignored legal requirements for dispensing and recording controlled substances.
2. Attempted Cover-Up and Impersonation:
   • When first investigated, he impersonated the pharmacy’s Superintendent Pharmacist (Pharmacist A) in emails.
   • He provided falsified dispensing records to regulatory authorities.
   • This misrepresentation delayed regulatory action and worsened his misconduct.
3. Failure to Report Alleged Duress:
   • The pharmacist claimed he was forced to supply the drugs due to threats from a criminal gang.
   • However, he never reported these threats to the police or regulators.
   • He later admitted receiving personal financial benefits from the illegal drug sales.
4. Court Conviction and Sentencing:
   • He pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court on 9 February 2021.
   • He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment on 2 March 2021.
   • The judge remarked:“You abused your professional position to divert a vast quantity of highly addictive controlled drugs onto the black market. The damage this causes to public health cannot be overstated.”

GPhC Determination on Impairment:

The GPhC ruled that the pharmacist’s fitness to practise was impaired, citing:

• A severe risk to public health due to large-scale unlawful drug supply.
• Significant damage to public confidence in the pharmacy profession.
• No evidence of remediation, remorse, or insight into his actions.

The committee noted:

“Pharmacists are gatekeepers of controlled substances. This Registrant’s actions were a gross abuse of trust and fundamentally incompatible with professional registration.”

Despite his claim of duress, the committee found that:

• He financially benefited from the illegal activity, which undermined his credibility.
• He had multiple opportunities to stop but continued for over 18 months.
• His actions endangered public safety by making highly addictive drugs available outside the legal supply chain.

Sanction:

The committee imposed removal from the GPhC register, considering:

• Aggravating Factors:
  • Illegal supply of highly addictive controlled drugs for 18 months.
  • Falsifying dispensing records and impersonating another pharmacist.
  • Financial gain of around £60,000 from the illegal activity.
  • Failure to demonstrate remorse, insight, or remediation.
• Mitigating Factors:
  • The pharmacist pleaded guilty in court.
  • He claimed he was under duress, though this was found to be an incomplete explanation.

The committee ruled that:

“The severity of this case means that nothing less than removal from the register is appropriate. The registrant’s actions have irreparably damaged public trust in the profession.”

An interim suspension was imposed immediately, preventing him from practising before final removal.

Key Learning Points for Pharmacy Professionals:

This case highlights critical lessons regarding controlled drug regulations, professional accountability, and criminal conduct.

1. Illegally Supplying Controlled Drugs Carries Severe Consequences:
   • Pharmacists must follow strict legal procedures when handling controlled substances.
   • Failure to comply can lead to criminal charges, imprisonment, and professional removal.
2. Attempting to Cover Up Wrongdoing Worsens Regulatory Outcomes:
   • Impersonating another pharmacist and falsifying records showed deliberate deception.
   • Regulators take cover-ups seriously and impose stronger sanctions for dishonesty.
3. Financial Gain from Misconduct Will Likely Lead to Permanent Removal:
   • The pharmacist received around £60,000 from illegal drug sales.
   • Any financial incentive linked to professional misconduct is viewed severely by regulators.
4. Duress Must Be Reported to Authorities, Not Used as Justification:
   • If pharmacists are coerced into unlawful activity, they must report it immediately.
   • Failure to report threats undermines credibility and increases professional risks.
5. Public Trust in the Profession Must Be Maintained:
   • This case highlights the severe impact of professional misconduct on public confidence.
   • Even first-time offenders can face permanent removal for serious breaches of trust.