Pharmacist Suspended After Attending Work Unfit and Dumping Controlled Drugs in Public Park
Date of Decision: July 2, 2026
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- Between January 2023 and October 2023, the registrant allegedly failed to: keep an up-to-date Responsible Pharmacist record; have in place and/or keep up to date a controlled drugs register when the pharmacy was dispensing controlled drugs.
- On or around 27 September 2024, the registrant attended work while unfit, in that the registrant: slurred their speech; was unsteady on their feet; had consumed alcohol.
- On or around 12 December 2024, the registrant disposed of an unknown quantity of medication and confidential pharmacy waste in an unsafe manner in or around Beacon Park, Heswall, Wirral, in that the registrant: failed to denature the medications or otherwise render them safe before disposal; discarded the medication and/or confidential pharmacy waste in waste bags.
Outcome: Suspension Order for 12 months.
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 5 – Pharmacy professionals must use their professional judgement
- Standard 6 – Pharmacy professionals must behave in a professional manner
- Standard 7 – Pharmacy professionals must respect and maintain a person’s confidentiality and privacy
- Standard 8 – Pharmacy professionals must speak up when they have concerns or when things go wrong
- Standard 9 – Pharmacy professionals must demonstrate leadership
Case Summary
Allegations
This case concerned a pharmacist working as the Responsible Pharmacist at a community pharmacy in Heswall, Wirral. The allegations fell into three broad areas: record keeping around Responsible Pharmacist and controlled drug records, attending work while unfit, and unsafe disposal of medicines and confidential pharmacy waste.
The first allegation related to the period between January 2023 and October 2023. The GPhC alleged that the registrant failed to keep an up-to-date Responsible Pharmacist record and failed to have in place and/or keep up to date a controlled drugs register, despite the pharmacy dispensing controlled drugs. Evidence before the panel included concerns raised by a locum pharmacist and inspection evidence suggesting that controlled drug record keeping at the pharmacy was haphazard. However, the panel ultimately found this allegation not proved. It was not satisfied that the GPhC had established that the registrant personally had a duty to maintain the overall RP record or CD register outside the days on which the registrant was acting as RP.
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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
Original Case Document
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The original determination transcript is available to registered users.
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- Full hearing transcript
- Detailed findings of fact
- Sanction reasoning
- Details of the pharmacy professionals involved