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Asaria, Alnazir (Mar 12, 2017)
Pursuant to section 36(1) of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (the “College”) reached a consent agreement with Alnazir Asaria (the “Registrant”) to suspend his registration as a pharmacist until he successfully completes and passes the College Jurisprudence Exam.
Following investigation, the Inquiry Committee determined that between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012, the Registrant, while pharmacy manager and owner of a pharmacy, practiced in contravention of the Bylaws to the Health Professions Act, Schedule F Part 1 Community Pharmacy Standards of Practice (the “Standards of Practice”) and the Bylaws to the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act (the “Bylaws to the PODSA”).
Specifically, the Registrant engaged in deficient practice relating to:
- Prescriptions filled in excess of authorized quantity;
- Prescriptions filled after the expiry date;
- Incomplete prescriptions missing quantity, dose or directions;
- Prescriptions filled under the wrong prescriber;
- Methadone prescriptions released to patients without complete and signed part-fill or witnessed ingestion logs;
- Methadone given as carries without prescriber authorization;
- Methadone prescriptions without adequate documentation including lack of Controlled Prescription Program (“CPP”) hardcopy prescription, CPP prescriptions without patient signature;
- Methadone dispensed under incorrect DIN;
- Prescription adaptation without adequate rationale or documentation;
The Inquiry Committee determined that the Registrant breached the Standards of Practice for each of the allegations listed and that the cumulative weight of the contraventions represent a serious matter which requires substantial remediation.
Prior to reinstatement of his registration, the Registrant must:
- Thoroughly review the relevant legislation and sign a Declaration acknowledging his understanding of and rigid compliance with those legislative requirements;
- Successfully complete and pass the College Jurisprudence Exam;
A Letter of Reprimand will be permanently placed on College Register and the College may disclose its contents in response to inquiries regarding the status of the Registrant’s registration.
The Inquiry Committee determined that the cumulative weight of each of the practice deficiencies demonstrated the Registrant’s disregard for his professional obligations and general sloppy practice. The sheer volume of practice deficiencies and breached practice standards demand a serious response to bring the Registrant’s practice into compliance with the governing legislation. The Inquiry Committee considers this agreement necessary to protect the public.
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Elstak-Blackwell, Cassandra (Dec 14, 2016)
Cassandra Elstak-Blackwell has completed a term of suspension which ended on December 14, 2016, and her registration as a pharmacist has been reinstated as of December 15, 2016.
November 15, 2016
(DECEMBER 14, 2016 - registration reinstated)
Pursuant to section 36 of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached an agreement with Cassandra Elstak-Blackwell (the “Registrant”) to temporarily suspend her registration as a pharmacist for 30 days, effective November 15, 2016 to December 14, 2016.
On March 12, 2015, a pharmacist at the Registrant’s pharmacy dispensed allopurinol to a patient which interacted with her existing medication, azathioprine. The drug-drug interaction between allopurinol and azathioprine is serious and well-known. On April 3, 2015, the Registrant dispensed refill prescriptions for allopurinol and azathioprine to the patient. These refills were dispensed again the next month on May 29, 2015 by another pharmacist. In May 2015, the patient began experiencing symptoms of pancytopenia and was admitted to the hospital. The patient remained in the hospital for 18 days during which she received multiple blood transfusions and required blood tests to determine the cause of her symptoms.
The Inquiry Committee found that the Registrant did not conduct a PharmaNet review, failed to detect the drug-drug interaction and did not provide counseling when she dispensed the medications to the patient. The Inquiry Committee determined that in the interest of public safety, a 30-day suspension of the Registrant’s licence and educational remediation was appropriate for addressing this incident. The Registrant has completed her educational requirements to the Inquiry Committee’s satisfaction and is now entering a 30-day suspension period for her licence. The Inquiry Committee considers this agreement necessary to protect the public.
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Pharmacist Registrant 28 (Dec 6, 2016)
The Inquiry Committee has reinstated pharmacist registrant’s registration which had previously been suspended indefinitely on June 14, 2016. 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:
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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 minimum period of two (2) years following the Registrant’s return to active employment as a pharmacist;
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Continuing to attend the Twelve Step meetings and Health Professionals Recovery Group as stipulated in the Registrant’s Recovery Management Agreement for a minimum of 2 years following the Registrant’s return to active employment as a pharmacist;
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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;
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Ensuring that all managers and employers with whom Registrant gains employment submit 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;
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Not working in isolation after returning to work in a pharmacy setting and that at least 80% of the Registrant’s working hours must be with another pharmacist;
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After returning to work in a pharmacy setting, Registrant will not handle or physically prepare or dispense prescriptions for narcotic, controlled, opioid and sedative drugs, except if from time to time this is not possible, then Registrant can only hand them to the patient and provide patient counselling;
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Not having access to narcotic-safe or physically process and/or otherwise prepare any prescriptions that require access to the narcotic safe;
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Not being involved in any way with ordering supplies of narcotic medications;
- Being restricted from acting in the following roles in Registrant’s practice:
- an owner or manager of a pharmacy;
- a director of a corporation that owns a pharmacy; and
- a preceptor
- Notifying the College, in writing or via e-mail, of:
- all changes in places of employment as a pharmacist;
- all changes in residential address and phone number; and
- all changes in medical provider.
The Agreement will remain in place for a minimum of two years from the date of execution of the Agreement, following which the Registrant will be assessed by the treating physician to determine whether 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 14, 2016
(December 6, 2016 - Registration Reinstated)
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 effective June 14, 2016. 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.
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McRae, Sarah (Oct 10, 2016)
Sarah McRae has completed a term of suspension which ended on October 9, 2016, and her registration as a pharmacist has been reinstated as of October 10, 2016.
September 10, 2016
(October 10, 2016 - Registration Reinstated)
Pursuant to section 36 of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached an agreement with Sarah McRae (the “Registrant”) to temporarily suspend her registration as a pharmacist for 30 days, effective September 10, 2016 to October 9, 2016.
On March 12, 2015, a pharmacist at the Registrant’s pharmacy dispensed allopurinol to a patient which interacted with her existing medication, azathioprine. The drug-drug interaction between allopurinol and azathioprine is serious and well-known. On April 3, 2015, another pharmacist at the pharmacy dispensed refill prescriptions for allopurinol and azathioprine to the patient. These refills were dispensed again the next month on May 29, 2015 by the Registrant. In May 2015, the patient began experiencing symptoms of pancytopenia and was admitted to the hospital. The patient remained in the hospital for 18 days during which she received multiple blood transfusions and required blood tests to determine the cause of her symptoms.
The Inquiry Committee found that the Registrant did not conduct a PharmaNet review, failed to detect the drug-drug interaction and did not provide counselling when she dispensed the medications to the patient. The Inquiry Committee determined that in the interest of public safety, a 1-month suspension of the Registrant’s licence and educational remediation was appropriate for addressing this incident. The Registrant has completed her educational requirements to the Inquiry Committee’s satisfaction and is now entering a 30-day suspension period for her licence. The Inquiry Committee considers this agreement necessary to protect the public.
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Pharmacist Registrant 24 (Aug 12, 2016)
Pharmacist Registrant 24 has satisfied terms of an agreement reached with the Inquiry Committee on April 22, 2016. Limits and conditions on pharmacist registrant’s registration as a pharmacist have now been removed. The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to 39.3(4) of the Health Professions Act.
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Pharmacist Registrant 17 (Jul 24, 2016)
Pharmacist Registrant 17 has satisfied the terms of an agreement reached with the Inquiry Committee dated July 24, 2016. Limits and conditions on pharmacist registrant’s registration as a pharmacist have now been removed. The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to 39.3(4) of the Health Professions Act.
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Buhecha , Nikhil Kantilal (Jul 20, 2016)
The Inquiry Committee received and considered a consent order proposal from Nikhil Kantilal Buhecha (the “Registrant”) prior to the commencement of a hearing into allegations against him, set to proceed before the Discipline Committee on July 18, 2016. The proposal was made pursuant to section 37.1 of the Health Professions Act. The Inquiry Committee reviewed the proposal, the allegations against the Registrant set out in the Citation and decided to accept the terms which are now orders pursuant to section 37.1(3)(a) of the Health Professions Act. The Inquiry Committee considers that the following orders made against the Registrant are consistent with the seriousness of the facts and circumstances set out in the Citation:
- That the Registrant’s registration as a Full Pharmacist be suspended for a period of three (3) years, to commence on July 20, 2016;
- That the Registrant pay a $50,000 fine and $100,000 in costs - $75,000 of the total amount to be paid prior to his reinstatement and the remaining $75,000 to be paid no later than one year from date of reinstatement;
- That the Registrant not be an owner or director of a pharmacy in British Columbia for a period of five (5) years from the date his suspension commences;
- That prior to reinstatement the Registrant comply with Criminal Records Review Act requirements;
- That prior to reinstatement the Registrant write a letter to the Inquiry Committee reflecting upon his conduct in this matter and what he has learned; and
- That prior to reinstatement the Registrant successfully complete Parts 1 and 2 of the Pharmacist Qualifying Exam through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada, the College’s Jurisprudence Exam, and the ProBE ethics program.
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Pharmacist Registrant 15 (Jul 15, 2016)
Pharmacist registrant has satisfied the terms of an agreement reached with the Inquiry Committee dated September 18, 2015. Limits and conditions on pharmacist registrant’s registration as a pharmacist have now been removed. The pharmacist registrant's name has been withheld pursuant to 39.3(4) of the Health Professions Act.
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Pharmacist Registrant 29 (Jul 1, 2016)
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 July 1, 2016. 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.
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Sands, Ian Colin (Jun 15, 2016)
Ian Colin Sands has satisfied the terms of an agreement reached with the Inquiry Committee dated June 22, 2015. Limits and conditions on Ian Colin Sands’ registration have now been removed.