Pharmacist Suspended for Misconduct Involving Uncontrolled Supply of Codeine Linctus

In a recent determination by the General Pharmaceutical Council’s Fitness to Practise Committee, a pharmacist was found to have engaged in misconduct by supplying large volumes of codeine linctus without appropriate controls. The pharmacist, who was the responsible pharmacist at Buchan Chemist in Birmingham, admitted to selling the habit-forming medicine without sufficient clinical justification and suspected that the recipients were abusing it. The misconduct occurred over a period from October 2019 to November 2020.

The Committee found that the pharmacist’s actions breached several GPhC standards, including failing to provide person-centred care, not working in partnership with others, and failing to demonstrate leadership. Despite the pharmacist’s admissions and evidence of remediation, the Committee determined that the misconduct was serious enough to warrant a suspension of four months to uphold public confidence in the profession.

The determination highlighted the importance of maintaining professional standards and the potential risks to public safety when these standards are not adhered to. The pharmacist’s failure to escalate concerns about the supply of codeine linctus and initial misleading response to the Council inspector were considered aggravating factors.

The Committee acknowledged the pharmacist’s remorse, insight, and steps taken towards remediation, including voluntary work with addicts and further education on substance misuse. However, it concluded that a suspension was necessary to reflect the gravity of the misconduct and to serve as a deterrent to others.

This case serves as a critical reminder for pharmacy professionals about the importance of adhering to professional standards, particularly in the supply of medications that are liable to abuse. It underscores the need for pharmacists to exercise professional judgment and take appropriate action when faced with potential misconduct, ensuring that patient safety and public confidence in the profession are maintained.