Alaa

Nature of Action: The Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (“CPBC”) conducted an investigation into the practice of Alaa Mohssen Amara (the “Registrant”), pursuant to section 33(4) of the Health Professions Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 183 (“HPA”). The CPBC issued a Citation on July 6, 2020, which was subsequently amended on November 23, 2020.

Further to a proposal for resolution from the Registrant, the Inquiry Committee made a Consent Order under section 37.1 of the HPA.

Effective date: December 18, 2020

Name of registrant: Alaa Mohssen Amara

Location of Practice: Powell River, BC

Admissions and Acknowledgements: The Registrant has admitted and/or acknowledged the following (in part):

1. In or about February 2018, the Registrant allowed a pharmacy opioid agonist treatment (“OAT”) patient to deliver methadone to a medical clinic for administration to another pharmacy OAT patient.

2. The Registrant failed to ensure the security of methadone by allowing it to be delivered to a medical clinic without taking sufficient precautions to ensure a secure chain of custody.

3. The Registrant misled a College investigator and the Inquiry Committee during the investigation by not providing accurate and truthful information regarding non-pharmacist methadone delivery.

4. Between December 2017 and February 2018, on multiple occasions, the Registrant dispensed a patient’s methadone contrary to the prescription in terms of quantity dispensed.

5. The Registrant caused or allowed multiple methadone maintenance treatment (“MMT”) prescriptions for an OAT patient to be dispensed contrary to the legislation and practice standards.

6. The Registrant failed to ensure that the required documentation was completed and/or retained for an OAT patient, including documentation for deliveries completed, physician notifications for missed doses, and part-fill accountability logs.

7. From about July 1, 2017 until March 27, 2018, on multiple occasions, the Registrant backdated methadone prescriptions and failed to review the patient’s personal health information on PharmaNet prior to dispensing MMT.

8. During a college pharmacy inspection:

   1. The Registrant was only able to produce one narcotic reconciliation. The Registrant failed to ensure that adequate narcotic counts and reconciliations were completed for the pharmacy.

   2. Schedule I, II, and III drugs and controlled drug substances were unsecured. The Registrant failed to ensure appropriate security and storage of all Schedule I, II, and III drugs and controlled substances.

9. The Registrant failed to reverse information in the PharmaNet database for several drugs not released to a patient or the patient’s representative, and the Registrant failed to record the reason for the reversal no later than 30 days from the date of the original entry of the prescription information in PharmaNet.

10. The Registrant was engaged in a conflict of interest and unethical behaviour by allowing OAT patients to work in the pharmacy.

11. The Registrant breached his undertakings made to the Inquiry Committee on July 17, 2012 and February 11, 2015.

Disposition:

In the Consent Order under section 37.1 of the HPA, the Inquiry Committee ordered that the Registrant (in part):

1. Pursuant to section 39(2) of the HPA, the Registrant’s registration with the CPBC is suspended for a period of 90 days commencing April 1, 2021 to June 29, 2021;

2. Will not be a manager for a period of 90 days commencing on the date his suspension ends (June 30, 2021 to September 27, 2021);

3. Successfully complete and pass the CPEP PROBE “Ethics and Boundaries Program”. After the successful completion of the program, to meet with the Inquiry Committee to reflect on his conduct and what he has learned from the program;

4. Consent to a letter of reprimand; 

5. Will not be a preceptor of pharmacy students and/or international pharmacy graduates for a period of five (5) years commencing on December 16, 2020 to December 15, 2025; and

6. Pay a fine of $5000 to the CPBC.

Rationale:

The Registrant contravened sections of the HPA, Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act (“PODSA”) Bylaws, HPA Bylaws, and the Code of Ethics in his practice as a pharmacist, pharmacy manager, owner and director, and thereby, neglected his basic duties as a pharmacist, and committed or allowed actions that were unethical and could potentially endanger patient health. The totality of his conduct demonstrated a breach of trust and undermines the integrity of the profession.

The Registrant’s conduct in this instance, coupled with the breach of his previous undertakings, is considered professional misconduct and justifies serious consequences. The Inquiry Committee considered it appropriate that the disposition for such conduct be one that serves as a strong deterrent and sends a clear message to both the profession and the public that the CPBC does not tolerate this type of conduct under any circumstances.