Latest news with #CharanjitPal
CTV News
12-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
B.C. pharmacists sanctioned over opioid dispensing practices file court challenges
Prescription pills containing oxycodone and acetaminophen are shown in this June 20, 2012 photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy VANCOUVER — Two Vancouver pharmacists facing sanctions for alleged improper opioid dispensing practices are taking the College of Pharmacists of B.C. to court, claiming evidence was collected 'improperly' during inspections by college investigators. The college announced last month that it was limiting the practices of four pharmacists who worked at two Vancouver pharmacies over 'serious' allegations of improper opioid dispensing and record keeping at the pharmacies. College CEO Suzanne Solven said it was an 'extraordinary step' to suspend pharmacy manager Karandeep Singh Chohan's registration, and limit the practices of Charanjit Pal, Mamteshwari Latchman and Jennifer Van Bui before the college's investigation was finished. Latchman and Van Bui filed petitions in B.C. Supreme Court last month claiming the inspections of the pharmacies that led to its decision were done without 'proper statutory authority' and that evidence was collected 'improperly.' The limitations imposed on Latchman and Van Bui took effect on March 24 and Pal's practice limits start today, but Chohan's suspension won't be implemented until May 27 'pending completion of the investigation and any resulting disciplinary hearing.' The college says inspections of the Vancouver pharmacies in 2024 uncovered a number of issues including 'inadequate' narcotic inventory control, inaccurate record keeping, and 'non-compliance' with opioid agonist treatment dispensing and delivery standards. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2025.
CTV News
12-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
B.C. pharmacists sanctioned over opioid dispensing practices file court challenges
Prescription pills containing oxycodone and acetaminophen are shown in this June 20, 2012 photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy VANCOUVER — Two Vancouver pharmacists facing sanctions for alleged improper opioid dispensing practices are taking the College of Pharmacists of B.C. to court, claiming evidence was collected 'improperly' during inspections by college investigators. The college announced last month that it was limiting the practices of four pharmacists who worked at two Vancouver pharmacies over 'serious' allegations of improper opioid dispensing and record keeping at the pharmacies. College CEO Suzanne Solven said it was an 'extraordinary step' to suspend pharmacy manager Karandeep Singh Chohan's registration, and limit the practices of Charanjit Pal, Mamteshwari Latchman and Jennifer Van Bui before the college's investigation was finished. Latchman and Van Bui filed petitions in B.C. Supreme Court last month claiming the inspections of the pharmacies that led to its decision were done without 'proper statutory authority' and that evidence was collected 'improperly.' The limitations imposed on Latchman and Van Bui took effect on March 24 and Pal's practice limits start today, but Chohan's suspension won't be implemented until May 27 'pending completion of the investigation and any resulting disciplinary hearing.' The college says inspections of the Vancouver pharmacies in 2024 uncovered a number of issues including 'inadequate' narcotic inventory control, inaccurate record keeping, and 'non-compliance' with opioid agonist treatment dispensing and delivery standards. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
26-04-2025
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
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. Article content Article content The college says the allegations are 'so serious' that interim action was needed while the college investigates. Article content These measures include the suspension of registration for pharmacist Karandeep Singh Chohan, former manager of Fraser Outreach Pharmacy, effective May 27. Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content The college says an investigation into the allegations follows inspections at the two pharmacies last year. Article content 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. Article content Article content '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. Article content '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.'
