Public Notifications

Pursuant to section 36(1) of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached an Agreement with Ashkan Tahmasebi Boldaji (the “Registrant”) to suspend his registration as a pharmacist for 30 consecutive days commencing December 4, 2018.

While the Registrant was delivering medications to a transitional housing complex the Registrant shoved and pushed a resident of this home out of an elevator resulting in her falling to the ground. The resident appeared to enter the elevator smoking a cigarette and did not put it out when asked by the Registrant. There was no evidence to support a need for self-defence by the Registrant. Additionally, the Registrant’s statements were found to be inconsistent with video evidence.

The Registrant acknowledged that his conduct constituted professional misconduct.

Pursuant to his Agreement, the Registrant also consented to the following:

• To successfully complete an ethics course for healthcare professionals;
• To appear before the Inquiry Committee for a verbal reprimand; and
• To pay a $1000.00 fine.

The Inquiry Committee considers this agreement necessary to protect the public, and to send a clear message to the profession that the College does not tolerate this type of conduct.”

Pursuant to section 36(1) of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached an Agreement with David Zhao (the “Registrant”) to suspend his registration as a pharmacist for 365 consecutive days commencing September 4, 2018.

The Registrant acknowledged that between March 6, 2016 and January 18, 2017, while engaged in the practice of pharmacy as a pharmacist and pharmacy manager, he processed 526 false prescription claims to his insurance provider for reimbursement. The Registrant acknowledged that by processing false prescriptions, he also falsified pharmacy drug and inventory records.

The Registrant also acknowledged that while he was pharmacy manager, he was responsible for multiple practice deficiencies including processing prescriptions for his family members to artificially increase the pharmacy’s prescription count, engaging in a conflict of interest, and backdating prescriptions (meaning that dispensing records for these prescriptions were created on dates later than the dates on which the drugs in question were actually dispensed).

Prior to reinstatement of his registration following the suspension period, the Registrant will be required to:

• Meet with the Inquiry Committee to discuss his reflections on his conduct and what he has learned; and
• Complete an ethics course at his own expense.

The Registrant will also be limited from being a manager, direct owner and/or indirect owner of a pharmacy for a period of three years from the date his suspension ends (commencing September 4, 2019).

The Inquiry Committee considers this agreement necessary to protect the public, as well as send a clear message to the profession that the College does not tolerate this type of conduct. 

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to section 36 of the Health Professions Act, has reached an Agreement with pharmacist registrant to suspend registration as a pharmacist for an indefinite period pending further decision of the Inquiry Committee. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacist registrant's name has been withheld pursuant to 39.3(4) of the Health Professions Act. 

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to section 36(1) of the Health Professions Act, has reached a new Agreement with the pharmacist registrant to amend certain terms in his Agreement of March 6, 2017. The pharmacist registrant is now no longer subject to limits and conditions relating to working alone and the handling, counting, and dispensing of narcotic, controlled, opioid and sedative drugs. All other limits and conditions will remain as part of the new Agreement.

March 6, 2017

(May 26, 2018 - Limits and conditions updated)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to Section 36 of the Health Profession Act, has reached a new revised agreement with the pharmacist registrant, whereby the registrant consented to undertakings that include, but are not limited to:

1. Strictly adhering to registrant’s routine medical monitoring program with the institution currently involved in registrant’s care and remaining on the monitoring program for a period of 5 years;

2. Informing all managers and employers with whom registrant gains employment of registrant’s medical condition and the limits and conditions on registrant’s registration pursuant to the Agreement;

3. Registrant will not work alone in a pharmacy setting, meaning that registrant must never be the sole pharmacist in attendance at any time and that there must be another pharmacist or pharmacy assistant or pharmacy staff working with registrant at all times;

4. Registrant will not have access to narcotic-safe or physically process and/or otherwise prepare any prescriptions that require access to the narcotic safe;

5. Registrant will not be involved in any way with ordering supplies of narcotic medications;

6. The registrant will not physically prepare prescriptions for narcotic, controlled, opioid and sedative drugs (including but not limited to barbiturates, benzodiazepines and “z” drugs such as zopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem and the like). In dispensing such prescriptions, the registrant will only be involved in the intake, data entry, computer processing, final check and pharmacist/patient counseling in accordance with the Health Professions Act, Bylaws; for a period of one (1) year, after which this term will be reassessed.

7. The registrant will not dispose or deal with wastage or breakage of or otherwise handle any narcotic, controlled, opioid and sedative drugs (including but not limited to barbiturates, benzodiazepines and “z” drugs such as zopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem and the like); for a period of one (1) year, after which this term will be reassessed.

8. The registrant will not be restricted from acting in the role in registrant’s practice as pharmacy manager or director but he will be restricted from acting in the role in registrant’s practice as a preceptor;

9. The registrant will notify the College, in writing or via e-mail, of:

   1. all changes in his places of employment as a pharmacist
   2. all changes in residential address and phone number; and
   3. all changes in medical provider.

This agreement will remain in place for a minimum of four years from March 6, 2017, following which the registrant will be assessed by a physician to determine whether or not continuation of monitoring is necessary. The name of the registrant has been withheld in accordance with section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act for the purposes of not identifying the personal health information of the registrant respecting the condition. The Inquiry Committee is satisfied that the undertakings will protect the public.

JUNE 23, 2016
(MARCH 6, 2017 – LIMITS AND CONDITIONS UPDATED)

The Inquiry Committee has reinstated pharmacist registrant’s registration which had previously been suspended for an indefinite period on December 18, 2015. Pursuant to Section 36 of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant whereby the Registrant consented to undertakings involving regular monitoring for fitness to practice pharmacy. The undertakings include, but are not limited to:

1. Strictly adhering to Registrant’s routine medical monitoring program with the institution currently involved in Registrant’s care and remaining on the monitoring program for a period of 5 years;

2. Informing all managers and employers with whom Registrant gains employment of Registrant’s medical condition and the limits and conditions on Registrant’s registration pursuant to the agreement;

3. Ensuring that all managers and employers with whom Registrant gains employment submits a written statement to the College declaring their awareness of Registrant’s medical condition and the agreement, and how they will accommodate and supervise Registrant working in pharmacy;

4. Registrant will not work alone in a pharmacy setting, meaning that Registrant must never be the sole pharmacist in attendance at any time and that there must be another pharmacist or pharmacy assistant or pharmacy staff working with Registrant at all times;

5. Registrant will not have access to narcotic-safe or physically process and/or otherwise prepare any prescriptions that require access to the narcotic safe;

6. Registrant will not be involved in any way with ordering supplies of narcotic medications;

7. For one (1) year, Registrant will not physically prepare prescriptions for narcotic, controlled, opioid and sedative drugs (including but not limited to barbiturates, benzodiazepines and “z” drugs such as zopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem and the like). In dispensing such prescriptions, the Registrant will only be involved in the intake, data entry, computer processing, final check and pharmacist/patient counseling in accordance with the Health Professions Act, Bylaws; after which this term will be reassessed.

8. For one (1) year, Registrant will document the steps taken for dispensing narcotic and controlled drugs and ensure that Registrant’s peer co-signs the document to show compliance with the restrictions set forth in item 7; after which this term will be reassessed.

9. For one (1) year, Registrant will not dispose or deal with wastage or breakage of or otherwise handle any narcotic, controlled, opioid and sedative drugs (including but not limited to barbiturates, benzodiazepines and “z” drugs such as zopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem and the like); after which this term will be reassessed.

10. The Registrant will be restricted from acting in the following roles in Registrant’s practice:
    1. an owner or manager of a pharmacy;
    2. a director of a corporation that owns a pharmacy; and
    3. a preceptor;

     

11. The Registrant will notify the College, in writing or via e-mail, of:
    1. all changes in his places of employment as a pharmacist
    2. all changes in residential address and phone number; and
    3. all changes in medical provider.

The agreement will remain in place for a minimum of five years from the date of execution of the Agreement, following which the Registrant will be assessed by a physician to determine whether or not continuation of monitoring is necessary. The name of the Registrant has been withheld in accordance with section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act for the purposes of not identifying the personal health information of the Registrant respecting the condition. The Inquiry Committee is satisfied that the undertakings will protect the public.

DECEMBER 18, 2015
(JUNE 23, 2016 – REGISTRATION REINSTATED)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to Section 36 of the Health Professions Act, has reached an agreement with pharmacist registrant to suspend his registration as a pharmacist effective December 18, 2015. The agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the agreement necessary to protect the public. The registrant's name has been withheld, pursuant to 39.3(4) of the Health Professions Act.