A Manitoba pharmacy owner has been fined $15,000 after a disciplinary panel found her guilty of failing to effectively supervise the pharmacy’s controlled substances. The owner, based in Portage la Prairie, admitted to professional misconduct and a lack of expertise in pharmacy practice, according to the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba.
She also acknowledged dispensing narcotics without proper authorization, neglecting to safeguard her narcotic security signature, failing to monitor perpetual inventory, and not reporting drug shortages and a pharmacy break-in within the required timeframe. The panel highlighted that the majority of the ten charges stemmed from her inadequate oversight of the pharmacy’s controlled substance accountability procedures.
From mid-2020 to late 2021, the pharmacy encountered 215 discrepancies in perpetual inventory, including 143 instances of drug shortages. The panel emphasized the critical role of a pharmacy manager in ensuring the safe handling of narcotic and controlled substances.
Before establishing the pharmacy, the owner worked as a staff pharmacist for 13 years in Portage la Prairie, including eight years working alongside a pharmacist named Glen Pauch, who was also disciplined by the regulator.
An investigation into both pharmacists commenced in October 2021 when the manager reported Pauch for dispensing opioid refills without proper authorization. The manager expressed concerns about Pauch’s health and potential misuse of prescription medication. Despite noticing irregularities earlier, she failed to act due to personal reasons affecting Pauch.
The panel noted that the manager neglected to record hydromorphone powder transactions, maintain proper inventory, and report losses promptly. While tasks were delegated to Pauch, she was responsible for overseeing his work and ensuring compliance with regulations.
The pharmacy lacked proper tracking of unusable controlled substances, leading to significant drug losses attributed to Pauch’s actions and the owner’s failure to intervene promptly. The panel highlighted the need for early communication with regulatory authorities to prevent such issues.
The owner expressed regret for her actions, cooperated with the investigation, and accepted a penalty of $15,000 and $10,000 in costs. Her license will be restricted for two years, preventing her from supervisory roles, and she will undergo routine inspections for a year. In a separate decision, Pauch received a substantial fine, a suspension, and license restrictions.
CBC News has reached out to the owner’s legal representative for comments.