Pharmacist Suspended for Six Months Following Ozempic Theft and Self-Administration

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Fitness to Practise Committee investigated the registrant for misconduct following concerns raised by both the registrant and their employer at Pickfords Pharmacy in Doncaster. The allegations stemmed from incidents in May 2023, including the registrant:

• Removing Ozempic from the pharmacy without a prescription or payment, later explaining it was mistakenly taken alongside paperwork.
• Stealing diazepam from the pharmacy shelf and consuming a tablet in the workplace without authorization.
• Attending work in an unfit state, described by colleagues as slurring words and struggling to concentrate.
• Exhibiting erratic behavior, including throwing medication bags and having mood swings.

During an internal investigation, the registrant admitted to these actions and cited health issues and workplace stress as contributing factors.

Findings

The GPhC panel found that the registrant’s conduct:

• Breached professional trust, particularly by dishonestly removing medication.
• Compromised patient safety, as working while unfit could have led to dispensing errors.
• Damaged public confidence in pharmacy as a regulated profession.

The registrant acknowledged the wrongdoing, expressing deep remorse and admitting:

“I should not have been working in that condition. I regret my actions deeply and take full responsibility.”

While the panel accepted that health and work pressures played a role, it determined that the registrant failed to act appropriately by not seeking support earlier.

GPhC Determination on Impairment

The committee ruled that the registrant’s fitness to practise was impaired, citing:

• Public protection concerns, given the unauthorized handling of medication.
• Professional integrity breaches, particularly theft and dishonesty.
• Lack of full insight into how they would manage future workplace stress.

The registrant had taken steps to improve, including seeking mentorship, completing professional development courses, and working in a different sector. However, the panel felt that their plans for returning to pharmacy work lacked sufficient safeguards to prevent future risk.

Sanction

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a six-month suspension from the register, determining that removal would be disproportionate due to:

• The one-time nature of the misconduct.
• The registrant’s genuine remorse and efforts to remediate.
• The health-related context of the incidents.

The suspension is subject to an interim suspension order, meaning the registrant cannot practise while awaiting the sanction’s formal enforcement.

Key Learning Points for Pharmacy Professionals

1. Medication security is paramount – Even minor theft or unauthorized handling of medication can lead to serious professional consequences.
2. Health issues must be proactively managed – Seeking early support is crucial to prevent workplace impairment.
3. Dishonesty has severe repercussions – Even in difficult circumstances, breaching trust in a pharmacy setting can result in suspension or removal.
4. Workplace stress is not an excuse – Regulatory bodies expect pharmacists to act responsibly, even under high-pressure conditions.
5. Mitigation efforts matter – The registrant’s remorse and proactive improvement efforts helped avoid removal from the register.

Conclusion

This case serves as a reminder that personal struggles do not excuse professional misconduct. Pharmacists must seek support before their ability to practise safely is compromised.