Pharmacist Suspended for One Month After Selling Pharmacy Medicines Online While Suspended from Practice
Date of Decision: February 11, 2020
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- Sold pharmacy-only (P) medicines, including codeine linctus, via eBay and eBid without proper pharmacist supervision.
- Used a misleading online username containing the word “pharmacy” while not operating a registered pharmacy.
- Engaged in sales during a period when he was suspended from the GPhC register under an interim order.
- Misled customers, violated regulatory requirements, and caused actual harm to individuals with codeine addiction.
Outcome: One-month suspension from the register
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 5 – Use professional judgment
- Standard 6 – Behave in a professional manner
- Standard 8 – Speak up when things go wrong
- Standard 9 – Demonstrate leadership
Case Summary
Between 2013 and 2014, while subject to a GPhC interim suspension order, the registrant:
- Sold P medicines online via platforms like eBay and eBid, including items such as codeine linctus, Senokot, and Optrex Infected Eye Drops.
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- Full allegations considered by the GPhC/PSNI
- 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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