Four Vancouver pharmacists face discipline over allegations of mishandling prescription opioids
Four Vancouver pharmacists have been handed interim disciplinary measures by the College of Pharmacists of B.C. over allegations of mishandling prescription opioids.
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The college says the allegations are 'so serious' that interim action was needed while the college investigates.
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These measures include the suspension of registration for pharmacist Karandeep Singh Chohan, former manager of Fraser Outreach Pharmacy, effective May 27.
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The college has also placed limits and conditions on pharmacist Charanjit Pal, manager at Fraser Neighbourhood Pharmacy, effective May 12, and to staff pharmacists Mamteshwari Ravnita Latchman and Jennifer Van Bui, effective March 24.
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The college says an investigation into the allegations follows inspections at the two pharmacies last year.
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Inspectors found alleged breaches of the college's bylaws and standards relating to the provision of Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) services, narcotic inventory control and management, prescription checking requirements, PharmaNet record keeping, patient consultations, supervision of non-pharmacist staff and compliance with ethical standards, according to the college.
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'Our responsibility is to make sure pharmacy care in B.C. is safe and ethical and we take this mandate extremely seriously,' said Suzanne Solven, CEO of the College of Pharmacists of B.C. in a statement Thursday.
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'Our investigations follow a procedurally fair process as required under Canadian law. Any regulatory action normally requires waiting until the investigation is complete. However, in this case the preliminary evidence and the allegations are so serious that the Inquiry Committee decided the extraordinary step of interim actions were necessary to protect the public while the investigation is underway.'
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