Panel hearing summary 2012.0160

Decision of the Pharmacy Board of Australia

Performance and Professional Standards Panel

Jurisdiction: Victoria

Date of Hearing: 3 October 2012

Date of Decision: 14 November 2012

Classification of Notification:

Offence – Dishonesty offence

Allegations

It was alleged that the pharmacist behaved in a way that constituted unprofessional conduct under section 191(1)(b)(ii) of the National Law in that they claimed CPD points and expenses in excess of $12,000 to which they were not entitled.

Finding

The pharmacist admitted to falsely claiming CPD points and claiming and receiving payments in excess of $12,000 from the Pharmacy Guild under the Rural Pharmacists Assistance Scheme.

The panel found that the pharmacist had behaved in a way that constituted unprofessional conduct. While the pharmacist claimed to lack understanding of the systems for recording CPD points and the claiming of expenses, they made the false claims over an extended period of time and did not attempt to seek advice from colleagues or the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia to remedy this lack of understanding.

Determination

The panel reprimanded the pharmacist.

It accepted in good faith the pharmacist’s promise to repay the money they received.