Pharmacist fraud suspension

A VICTORIAN registered pharmacist has been suspended for six months a;er it was found she had engaged in professional misconduct.

The Pharmacy Board of Australia referred the pharmacist to the Victorian Civil and Administra ve Tribunal tribunal a;er she was charged, pleaded guilty to and was convicted, in the Magistrates Court of Victoria, of obtaining financial advantage by decep on.

As the proprietor of a South Melbourne‐based pharmacy, she lodged 71 PBS claims with the Department of Human Services between 2012 and 2014 containing false informa on, and without actually dispensing the products named to the pa ent or an authorised person.

The false claims resulted in fraudulent benefits being paid into a bank account associated with the pharmacy, totalling $22,419.

In addi on to recording a convic on, the court imposed a fine of $7,500 and ordered her to pay compensa on of $22,418.99 and costs of $136.50.

The Tribunal reprimanded the pharmacist, suspended her for six months and placed condi ons on her registra on upon any return to prac ce.

She must complete mentoring sessions with a registered health prac oner on the principles of ethical professional conduct, including Medicare billing prac ces and the requirements for professional conduct.