Superintendent Pharmacist Suspended for Practising Without Indemnity Insurance for Nearly Four Years
Date of Decision: October 10, 2019
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- Failed to ensure appropriate professional indemnity insurance (PII) was in place from 1 May 2013 to 16 February 2017.
- Made four annual declarations to the GPhC falsely confirming he had PII.
- Misled the GPhC by stating he had insurance when he did not.
- Acted without integrity in failing to confirm or secure PII while practising as a superintendent pharmacist.
Outcome: Six-month suspension from the register.
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 1 – Make patients your first concern
- Standard 6.1 – Act with honesty and integrity to maintain public trust and confidence
- Standard 6.5 – Meet accepted standards of personal and professional conduct
- Standard 6.6 – Comply with legal and professional requirements and accepted guidance
- Standard 7.9 – Ensure all work is covered by appropriate professional indemnity cover
Case Summary
Allegations
The central allegation in this case concerned the registrant, a pharmacist and superintendent of a London-based community pharmacy, who practised without professional indemnity insurance (PII) for nearly four years. During that period, from May 2013 to February 2017, he also made four annual renewal declarations to the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), falsely confirming that appropriate indemnity arrangements were in place.
Initially, the GPhC brought forward a dishonesty allegation, which was later amended to an allegation of acting “without integrity” based on the registrant’s witness statement. The GPhC maintained that his conduct undermined the trust and confidence the public and the regulator place in registered professionals.
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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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The original determination transcript is available to registered users.
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- Full hearing transcript
- Detailed findings of fact
- Sanction reasoning
- Details of the pharmacy professionals involved