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The Province
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Province
Vancouver pharmacists sanctioned over opioid dispensing practices file court challenges
Two pharmacists are claiming evidence was collected 'improperly' during inspections by College of Pharmacists of B.C. investigators Published May 12, 2025 • Last updated 13 hours ago • 2 minute read File photo Photo by Shidlovski / Getty Images/iStockphoto Two Vancouver pharmacists facing sanctions for alleged improper opioid-dispensing practices are taking the College of Pharmacists of B.C. to court, alleging evidence was collected improperly during inspections by college investigators. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The college announced last month that it was limiting the practices of four pharmacists who worked at two Vancouver pharmacies over what it called 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. Chohan was the manager of Fraser Outreach Pharmacy, and 'college inspectors identified what appeared to be multiple breaches of the college's bylaws and standards' in August last year, the reasons for action posted by the college said. The reason's about Chohan's suspension say he was also investigated five times for similar conduct between 2016 and 2023. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A notification for Pal said he was the manager of Fraser Neighbourhood Pharmacy and had been investigated for 'similar concerns' at a different pharmacy in 2021. Van Bui, Latchman and Pal's practice limitations include conditions that they 'not provide any services related to 'safe supply' in any form or capacity.' Latchman and Van Bui filed petitions in B.C. Supreme Court last month alleging the inspections of the pharmacies that led to its decision were done without proper statutory authority and that evidence was collected improperly. Both Latchman and Van Bui filed affidavits stating that Fraser Outreach's manager told them that the college's inspections were done without proper statutory authority and that evidence was obtained improperly. They allege the pharmacy manager had a lawyer who would be making the case to the college's inquiry committee that the inspections were done outside inspector's jurisdiction and without procedural fairness. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The limitations imposed on Latchman and Van Bui took effect on March 24 and Pal's practice limits took effect May 12, 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 what it called inadequate narcotic inventory control, inaccurate record keeping, and non-compliance with opioid agonist treatment dispensing and delivery standards. Van Bui and Latchman's lawyers did not respond to a request for comment about the petitions, and the College of Pharmacists of B.C. did not provide comment on the cases. The B.C. Ministry of Health said in February that it was investigating allegations against more than 60 pharmacies suspected of engaging in illegal activities, including misusing fee-for-service payments to offer incentives to attract patients. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It said the government was changing the fee structure for pharmacies that offer opioids under the 'prescribed alternatives' regime, in part to avoid financial incentive for bad actors to offer kickbacks to retain and attract new patients, and to try to take advantage of the system. Health Minister Josie Osborne said most pharmacies follow the rules, 'but it is unacceptable that bad actors are exploiting the health-care system and putting communities at risk.' Read More Vancouver Canucks National Vancouver Canucks News Vancouver Canucks
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.'
