Pharmacist’s Fitness to Practise Impaired Due to Record-Keeping Failures

In a recent determination by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), a pharmacist’s fitness to practise was found to be impaired due to significant record-keeping failures and misconduct. The pharmacist, who was the Superintendent Pharmacist at a pharmacy, faced allegations of failing to produce essential records such as Private Prescription, Emergency Supply records, and Controlled Drug (CD) registers during multiple inspections. These records were improperly kept at the pharmacist’s home, posing a risk to patient confidentiality. Additionally, the CD registers were not up to date, and discrepancies were identified, further highlighting the pharmacist’s failure to adhere to professional standards.

The GPhC’s Fitness to Practise Committee reviewed the case multiple times, initially imposing conditions on the pharmacist’s practice, which were later escalated to a suspension due to non-compliance and lack of remediation. Despite attending hearings and admitting to the allegations, the pharmacist demonstrated limited insight and failed to provide evidence of remediation or a plan to prevent future misconduct.

The Committee determined that the pharmacist’s conduct fell far below the expected standards, presenting a risk to patient safety and undermining public confidence in the profession. The pharmacist’s failure to engage meaningfully with the proceedings and address the concerns raised led to a decision to extend the suspension for a further nine months.

This case serves as a critical reminder for pharmacy professionals about the importance of maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, adhering to professional standards, and demonstrating insight and remediation when faced with allegations of misconduct. The GPhC emphasized the need for the pharmacist to engage in reflective practice and take concrete steps to ensure that such failures are not repeated in the future.