Superintendent Pharmacist Suspended for Nine Months After Failing to Safeguard Patients in Online Pharmacy
Date of Decision: April 6, 2023
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- As the Superintendent Pharmacist (SI) at SQ Invest Ltd, which operated an online pharmacy, the registrant:
- Failed to implement proper identity verification procedures for patients ordering medicines online.
- Allowed patients to select high-risk medicines, strengths, and quantities before consultations.
- Supplied opioids (codeine, dihydrocodeine) and sleeping aids (zopiclone, zimovane) without verifying GP approval.
- Allowed medicines to be supplied solely based on a self-completed online questionnaire.
- Did not conduct audits on prescribing practices or refusals, increasing the risk of inappropriate supplies.
- Used prescribers based in Romania but did not ensure they were following UK guidelines or properly registered.
- Did not have proper indemnity insurance for the prescribing services provided.
Outcome: A nine-month suspension was imposed
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 1 – Provide Safe and Effective Care
- Standard 2 – Work in Partnership with Others
- Standard 5 – Use Professional Judgment
- 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 Superintendent Pharmacist (SI) following serious patient safety concerns at an online pharmacy.
Between December 2018 and November 2019, the registrant managed SQ Invest Ltd, an online pharmacy that:
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Original Case Document
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