Pharmacist’s Suspension Lifted After Failing to Disclose Business Interests While Employed as Practice-Based Pharmacist
Date of Decision: January 28, 2019
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- Failure to declare a financial interest in a distance selling pharmacy while employed as a practice-based pharmacist.
- Attempting to divert prescriptions to her own pharmacy for personal gain.
- Delivering medication to a patient on behalf of her own pharmacy while employed elsewhere.
- Offering financial incentives to a colleague to forward prescriptions to her pharmacy.
- Acting without integrity and failing to uphold professional responsibilities.
- Making misleading statements about the reason for leaving a previous employer.
Outcome: Suspension lifted; registrant deemed no longer impaired and permitted to return to unrestricted practice.
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 1 – Provide person-centred care
- Standard 6 – Behave professionally
- Standard 8 – Speak up when they have concerns or when things go wrong
- Standard 9 – Demonstrate leadership
Case Summary
Allegations
This case concerns a pharmacist who was initially suspended for failing to maintain professional integrity by not declaring a conflict of interest while working as a GP practice-based pharmacist. The registrant held a directorial interest in a distance selling pharmacy but continued to work in a GP practice without informing her employer of this affiliation.
Between March and July 2017, while contracted to the GP practice, she failed to disclose this interest. During the same period, she attempted to redirect prescriptions to her own pharmacy and even offered financial incentives to a colleague to do so. She also delivered medication to a patient on behalf of her business while still under contract with the GP practice.
Continue Reading the Full Case
Create a free account or log in to access the complete case summary.
- 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
View the Full Determination Document
The original determination transcript is available to registered users.
- Download the official GPhC determination
- Full hearing transcript
- Detailed findings of fact
- Sanction reasoning
- Details of the pharmacy professionals involved