Pharmacist reprimanded and disqualified for three years

24 Sep 2020

A pharmacist has been reprimanded and disqualified for three years.

A pharmacist has been reprimanded, had his registration cancelled and is disqualified for applying for registration for three years for engaging in professional misconduct and improperly obtaining his registration.

The pharmacist (Pharmacist) obtained a Bachelor of Pharmacy from an overseas university in 2002. From October 2005 to June 2015, the Pharmacist lived and practised as a pharmacist in various countries. On 22 June 2015 he was convicted of one count of healthcare fraud conspiracy and 15 counts of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. The Pharmacist was sentenced to probation for a term of six months and ordered to pay restitution. His licence to practise pharmacy in the second overseas country was temporarily suspended on 29 July 2015 and revoked on 18 November 2015.

The Pharmacist applied for provisional registration and supervised practice as a pharmacist in Australia in July 2018. In his application, the Pharmacist made a false declaration about his criminal history, countries of former residence, registration history, disciplinary history, and practice history. His curriculum vitae contained false information including work history and did not disclose his full practice history. Registration was granted in September 2018 based on this false information.

On 19 December 2018, the Pharmacy Board of Australia (the Board) took immediate action by suspending the Pharmacist’s registration. The Board referred the Pharmacist to the State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia (the tribunal).

The tribunal found that the Pharmacist had engaged in professional misconduct and improperly obtained his registration. He was reprimanded, had his registration cancelled and was disqualified from applying for registration for a period of three years. The Pharmacist was ordered to pay $2,000 towards the costs of the proceedings.

A suppression order was granted to protect the Pharmacist’s identity.

The orders are published on the Courts Portal of Western Australia website.