Pharmacist Suspended for Unsafe and Unlawful Prescribing, Including Medication for Animals
Date of Decision: May 9, 2022
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- The pharmacist prescribed medications inappropriately, including for animals, despite not being a veterinary prescriber.
- Issued unlawful prescriptions that lacked appropriate authority.
- Failed to carry out adequate checks on patient suitability, medication appropriateness, or follow-up monitoring.
- Acted outside the scope of his competency, issuing high-risk prescriptions for conditions requiring specialist knowledge.
- Prescribed large quantities of controlled and high-risk drugs without necessary clinical oversight or review.
- Was found to have participated in an online prescribing model that failed to meet regulatory safety standards.
Outcome: Suspension for four 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 8 – Speak Up When Things Go Wrong
- Standard 9 – Demonstrate Leadership
Case Summary
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Fitness to Practise Committee investigated a pharmacist following serious concerns about unsafe prescribing practices and the unlawful issue of prescriptions for animals.
Between June and July 2019, the pharmacist:
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- Full allegations considered by the GPhC
- 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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- Full hearing transcript
- Detailed findings of fact
- Sanction reasoning
- Details of the pharmacy professionals involved