Pharmacist banned from S8s

THE NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal has placed a “Prohibition Order” against unregistered pharmacist Ethan Le, banning him from working in any environment where he would have access to any Schedule 8 drugs.

A decision was handed down yesterday in a case brought against Le by the Health Care Complaints Commission, which alleged that due to a criminal conviction he “is unfit in the public interest to practice the profession of pharmacy”.

The practitioner was first registered as a pharmacist in Australia in 2007, and worked at Abbotsford Point pharmacy as the Pharmacy Manager from 2009.

In 2015 police were conducting surveillance on a man named Trent Nguyen and ascertained he was obtaining prescription drugs from the pharmacy via the pharmacist.

They ultimately took the pharmacist to court where he pleaded guilty to supplying restricted drugs and also dealing with $8,500 suspected of being the proceeds of crime.

The pharmacist also failed to tell the National Board of his conviction.

In the hearing Le noted he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and taken significant steps to reform his behaviour.

However the Tribunal expressed “deep concern” about his activities, which included holding blank stolen prescription pads.

It was ruled that the pharmacist was guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct.

While his registration has lapsed, he is now not entitled to apply for re-registration for a period of 18 months and in that time is also not allowed to have access to S8s.

The Tribunal also recommended that he develop a CPD plan, join a professional organisation, familiarise himself with Pharmacy Board regulations and consider engaging with a mentor who can assist him in improving his pharmacy practice.