Bhanu Prasad

1. Nature of Action: The Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (the “College”) conducted investigations into the practice and conduct of Bhanu Prasad Seelaboyina (the “Registrant”), pursuant to sections 33(1) and 33(4) of the Health Professions Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 183 (“HPA”).

   The Inquiry Committee and the Registrant have agreed to resolve all matters arising from the investigations by way of a Consent Agreement under section 36(1) of the HPA.

2. Effective date: August 19, 2022

3. Name of registrant: Bhanu Prasad Seelaboyina

4. Location of Practice: New Westminster, BC

5. Admissions and acknowledgements:

   The Registrant has admitted and/or acknowledged the following:

   1. Between August 24 and August 26, 2021, he administered COVID-19 immunizations to 96 patients, and:

      1. reused the same syringe barrel for multiple patients;
          

      2. did not adhere to standards of practice and guidelines pertaining to the administration of injections; and

      3. did not obtain appropriate resources to facilitate the administration of immunizations in accordance with standards of practice; and

   2. Between August 26 and September 9, 2021, the Registrant was not forthcoming when asked about his reusing of syringe barrels. Him not disclosing his conduct during this time period put 96 patients at risk and denied these patients the agency to determine how to make an informed decision to mitigate the risks.
       

6. Disposition:

   The Registrant entered into a Consent Agreement with the College’s Inquiry Committee, wherein the Registrant consented to terms that included (but not limited to) the following:

   1. To be suspended as a registrant of the College for a period of one year, from August 22, 2022 to August 21, 2023;

   2. To not administer drugs by injection and/or intranasal route for a period of 180 days from the date that his suspension ends (August 22, 2023 to February 15, 2024);

   3. Prior to applying for re-certification for drug administration by injection and/or intranasal route, to complete a full re-training of all requirements;

   4. After re-certification for drug administration, for a minimum of 90 days, to not administer drugs by injection and/or intranasal route unless supervised by an injection-certified pharmacist in good standing;

   5. To not be a pharmacy manager and preceptor for pharmacy students for a period of one year from the date that his suspension ends (August 22, 2023 to August 21, 2024);

   6. To have a letter of reprimand placed on the College register;

   7. To complete and successfully pass an ethics course for healthcare professionals;

   8. To appear before the Inquiry Committee for a verbal reprimand after completing the ethics course. Depending on the outcome of this meeting, the Inquiry Committee may consider whether the letter of reprimand issued to the Registrant should be kept permanently in the College register;

   9. To review and abide by applicable legislative standards and guidelines on infection control practices;

   10. To successfully complete educational courses regarding:

       • Conflict resolution;
       • Providing empathic care;
       • Preventing and reporting of medication incidents;
       • Communicating with patients;
       • Addressing ethical issues; and
       • Infection control; and
          

   11. To write letters of apology to the persons affected by his conduct who also filed complaints with the College regarding this matter.

7. Rationale:

   The Inquiry Committee determined that the Registrant’s admitted lack of knowledge of basic infection control practices introduced risk of infection and uncertainty into the lives of the 96 patients that he unsafely immunized.

   The Inquiry Committee also considered that the Registrant’s conduct between August 26, 2021 and September 8, 2021 in response to this matter constituted an egregious breach of his ethical obligations as a healthcare provider. The Registrant stated that his dishonesty when confronted with the allegations was driven by a fear of consequences from admitting his conduct. The Inquiry Committee considered that such fear was irrational, and that the correct course of action, in line with the Registrant’s ethical obligations under the Code of Ethics, was to admit his actions. In not doing so, the Registrant’s dishonesty represented a serious contravention of legislative and ethical standards and compromised the public’s trust in the pharmacy profession as a whole. The Inquiry Committee acknowledged the Registrant’s acceptance of responsibility, and cooperation during the investigation process after he acknowledged his actions.

   The Inquiry Committee therefore determined that the Registrant required serious remediation and deterrence regarding his conduct. After considering all factors in this matter, the Inquiry Committee considered the terms of the Consent Agreement necessary and appropriate to protect the public, as well as send a clear message of deterrence to the profession.

September 21, 2021

(August 19, 2022 – Limits and Conditions Updated)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to section 32.2(4)(b)(i) of the Health Professions Act, has reached an Agreement with pharmacist registrant Bhanu Prasad Seelaboyina (the “Registrant”) to impose limits and conditions on his practice, effective immediately, pending an investigation into his conduct. The Registrant has agreed to the following limits and conditions on his practice, which are in place until further notice:

1. Until investigations into his conduct are complete and until approved by the Inquiry Committee to do so:
   
   1. To not act in the role of a pharmacy manager; and
   2. To not administer drugs or substances by injection and/or intranasal route; and
       
2. To authorize the College to revoke his Drug Administration Certification, effective immediately. 

The Registrant has admitted to using the same syringe barrel for multiple patients while administering COVID-19 vaccinations between August 24, 2021 and August 26, 2021. This conduct occurred while he was in a leadership role as a pharmacy manager.

Due to the Registrant’s conduct and judgment in this case, the Inquiry Committee considered the above limits and conditions necessary to protect against further risk of harm to patients.