Pharmacist Suspended for Unlawful Supply of Class C Drugs Worth Up to £1.4 Million

Date of Decision: February 9, 2022

Registrant's Role: Pharmacist

Allegations:

• The pharmacist was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court on 20 January 2020 for:
• Supplying Class C controlled drugs without proper authorisation between July 2015 and September 2016.
• Possessing Class C controlled drugs with intent to supply.
• He operated three community pharmacies in Birmingham, one of which had a Wholesale Dealer’s Authorisation (WDA) but did not have a Home Office Controlled Drugs Licence.
• The MHRA identified large-scale illegal supply of controlled drugs, leading to an investigation.
• On 13 September 2016, an unannounced MHRA inspection found significant quantities of unaccounted-for controlled drugs at one of his pharmacies.
• Between 2015 and 2016, he unlawfully diverted over 1.4 million tablets of controlled drugs, including:
• 588,000 Zopiclone tablets
• 337,000 Diazepam tablets
• 238,000 Nitrazepam tablets
• 27,000 Zolpidem tablets
• The estimated street value of these drugs was between £854,000 and £1.4 million.
• The pharmacist lied to investigators, concealed the financial gains, and refused to disclose the buyers.
• He was sentenced to 28 months' imprisonment and later released on licence.

Outcome: Suspension for 12 months

GPhC Standards Breached:

• Standard 1 – Provide Person-Centred Care
• Standard 2 – Work in Partnership with Others
• Standard 5 – Use Professional Judgment
• Standard 6 – Behave in a Professional Manner
• Standard 9 – Demonstrate Leadership

Case Summary

Original Case Document