Pharmacist Suspended for Dishonest Dispensing and Falsification of References

In a recent determination by the General Pharmaceutical Council’s Fitness to Practise Committee, a pharmacist was found guilty of misconduct due to multiple instances of dishonest behavior. The pharmacist, while working as a locum at Hardines Pharmacy, dispensed medications to two patients, Patient A and Patient B, without valid prescriptions. Furthermore, the pharmacist failed to record these transactions in the patients’ medication records and altered prescription labels to remove pharmacy details, misleading the patients into believing the medications were prescribed by their GP.

The Committee also found that the pharmacist created a fake email address and falsified an employment reference to secure a position with MKGP Federation. This act of dishonesty involved fabricating a reference purportedly from a former employer, complete with a falsified signature.

The GPhC determined that the pharmacist’s actions breached several professional standards, including providing person-centred care, working in partnership with others, using professional judgement, and behaving in a professional manner. The pharmacist admitted to all allegations and expressed remorse, but the Committee found that the misconduct was serious and premeditated, involving vulnerable patients and a breach of trust.

As a result, the pharmacist’s fitness to practise was deemed impaired, leading to a 12-month suspension. The Committee emphasized the need to uphold public confidence in the profession and maintain professional standards. The decision underscores the importance of honesty and integrity in pharmacy practice and serves as a learning point for all pharmacy professionals to prioritize patient safety and adhere to ethical standards.