Vancouver, BC – Results of an investigation into the now closed Marigold Compounding and Natural Pharmacy in Courtney, BC showed a blatant disregard for public safety and meeting pharmacy practice standards by pharmacy manager Isidoro Andres “Rudy” Sanchez.
On or about June 1, 2018 a Discipline Committee panel of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia found that Isidoro Andres “Rudy” Sanchez engaged in unprofessional conduct and failed to comply with the Health Professions Act, its regulations and bylaws and the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act and its bylaws.
Sanchez was the pharmacy manager of Marigold Compounding and Natural Pharmacy which had its licence suspended by the College in 2014 and remains closed.
Pursuant to section 39(2) of the Health Professions Act, the Discipline Committee Panel issued an order to immediately cancel the Registrant’s registration and for the Registrant to pay costs in the amount of $115,000.
Sanchez will only be eligible to apply for reinstatement of registration six years following the order and after having paid costs in full. If Sanchez’s registration is reinstated, he will not be eligible to apply for a pharmacy license or act as a pharmacy manager or director for a period of five years following reinstatement.
Read the full Discipline Committee Decision on the Complaints Outcomes page on the College’s website
The College of Pharmacists of British Columbia’s duty is to protect public health by licensing and regulating pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and the pharmacies where they practice. We are responsible for making sure every pharmacist and pharmacy technician in BC is fully qualified and able to provide the public with safe and ethical pharmacy care. Learn more about our role as a BC Health Regulator at bcpharmacists.org/who-we-are.
Background
In September 2014, the Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of BC ordered the closure of Marigold Compounding and Natural Pharmacy in Courtenay and a suspension on the registration of its manager, Mr. Isidoro Andres "Rudy" Sanchez, after an investigation revealed serious concerns with both the pharmacy site and the pharmacy practice conducted there.
Some examples of unsafe practices included:
- Unsterile and generally unclean facilities being used to manufacture a variety of prescription drugs and over-the-counter health products without authority to do so. In addition, compounding safety standards appeared to not have been followed when delivering that service.
- Human placenta intended for encapsulation was accepted, handled, and prepared with little evident regard for safety protocols necessary when handling human tissue. This service was being offered despite the lack of a proper facility or the regulatory approval to provide it.
- Patients were counselled on alternative drug therapies and products well outside the scope of pharmacy practice and without notification to the original prescriber.
- Documentation was completed and submitted incorrectly to a number of relevant parties. An incorrect health care record is a serious risk as improper decisions could be made on the wrong information, putting a patient's health at risk.
Learn more about the College’s complaints process at bcpharmacists.org/complaints.
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