Gleichen, Alta., pharmacist fined $16K after allowing unregulated staff to hand out prescriptions
A pharmacist in a hamlet east of Calgary has been sanctioned by the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) after she allowed unregulated staff members to fill and hand out prescriptions to customers.
The penalty comes after the ACP tribunal said Bernadette Galang admitted to unprofessional conduct at her business, the Medicine Shoppe #416, located in Gleichen, Alta.
The board says she has built a system where there were times when the pharmacy was open to the public on Fridays without having a pharmacist present and unregulated staff members were "performing pharmacy services and restricted activities."
The ACP says those included:
- Preparing prescriptions;
- Providing prepared prescriptions to patients;
- Accessing and disclosing health information;
- Creating and maintaining health records; and
- Securing drugs.
"The hearing tribunal found that through the pharmacist’s actions, the potential for patient harm was created, the integrity of the profession was undermined, and the public's trust in the profession was decreased," the ACP wrote in a statement.
"The hearing tribunal found the pharmacist’s conduct was unprofessional and, as a proprietor, she had engaged in misconduct."
It says while Galang admitted fault, the tribunal issued a $6,000 fine, along with an order to pay $10,000 toward the costs of investigation and hearing.
"Her conduct demonstrated a lack of judgment when she allowed the pharmacy to operate in breach of the requirements relating to pharmacies, by failing to employ the requisite number of staff with the training and qualifications to provide safe and effective pharmacy services," the ACP's statement continued.
"This was a lack of judgment because it could have put the public at risk due to the lack of appropriate supervision and pharmaceutical knowledge during the hours when a pharmacist was not present. In addition, there was a failure of supervision of the pharmacy’s unregulated employees, including the allowance of carrying out restricted activities, which demonstrated a clear lack of knowledge and/or judgment."
Galang's practice permit was also suspended for three months, with one month to be served between Jan. 19 and Feb. 18.
The remaining two months should be served after she has completed the ACP's licensee education program.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.