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Pharmacist Registrant 46 (Nov 10, 2021)

The Inquiry Committee has changed the pharmacist registrant’s status to “Full Pharmacist – Active” which had previously been “Full Pharmacist – Suspended” for an indefinite period on November 20 2020. Pursuant to section 36(1) of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant whereby the registrant consented to terms that include, but not limited to, the following:

  • To comply with all treatment plans as recommended by their medical providers;
     
  • To comply with all terms of the Relapse Prevention Agreement for a duration of three years;
     
  • Ensuring that all managers and employers with whom they gain employment submit a written statement to the College declaring their awareness of their medical condition and the agreement;
    • To be restricted from acting in the following roles:
    • owner (direct or indirect) or manager of a pharmacy;
    • director of a corporation that owns a pharmacy; and
    • preceptor;
  • To authorize and direct any and all caregivers, treating physician(s), and/or institution(s) to furnish the College with a written report and any and all information that relates to their health, including a diagnosis, prognosis, status of recovery and/or treatment plan pertaining to their health condition and recovery, when and if necessary for the College to obtain such information;
     
  • To authorize the College to provide their treating physician(s) and any practitioner involved in their care with any information and documentation necessary for an independent medical assessment as well as monitoring and/or follow-up therapy, as necessary.

The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4) of the Health Professions Act.


November 20, 2020
(November 10, 2021 - Suspension Ended)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to section 32.2(4)(b)(ii) of the Health Professions Act, has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant to voluntarily suspend their registration as a pharmacist effective November 20, 2020. The Agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.

Pharmacist Registrant 48 (Nov 4, 2021)

The Inquiry Committee has changed the pharmacist registrant’s status to “Full Pharmacist – Active” which had previously been “Full Pharmacist – Suspended” for an indefinite period on December 18, 2020. Pursuant to section 36(1) of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached an Agreement with the registrant whereby the registrant consented to terms including, but not limited to, the following:

  • To adhere to all steps and comply with all treatment and recovery plans as recommended by their medical provider(s) and/or their most responsible physician(s);
  • To comply and complete all terms of the Relapse Prevention Agreement for a duration of three years and with a graduated return to work over a minimum of seven weeks; and 
  • To authorize and direct any and all caregivers and treating physicians to provide the College with a report and information that relates to the registrant’s health, recovery, and/or treatment plan pertaining to any health condition what could materially impair the registrant’s performance and/or fitness to practice pharmacy.

The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4) of the Health Professions Act.


December 18, 2020
(November 4, 2021 - Suspension Ended)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to section 32.2(4)(b)(ii) of the Health Professions Act, has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant to voluntarily suspend their registration as a pharmacist effective December 18, 2020. The Agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.

Yan, Cheryl Qian (Sep 2, 2021)

The following limits and conditions have now been removed from pharmacist registrant Cheryl Qian Yan’s (the “Registrant”) registration as a pharmacist:

  • Working under direct supervision of a BC pharmacist in good standing;
  • Not working alone; and
  • Not being a supervisor, manager, and/or preceptor.

The Registrant may now work alone and may be a supervisor, manager and/or preceptor.


April 25, 2021
(September 2, 2021 – Limits and Conditions Updated)

Pursuant to s. 36(1) of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached a revised Agreement with pharmacist registrant Cheryl Qian Yan (the “Registrant”), whereby commencing March 21, 2021, for a specified period of time she must abide by certain limits and conditions on her practice, and she must disclose these limits and conditions to future employers. These limits and conditions include (but are not limited to):

  • Working under direct supervision of a BC pharmacist in good standing;
  • Not working alone;
  • Not being a supervisor, manager, and/or preceptor;
  • Informing employers and the College in writing regarding any medication-related incidents and/or errors that she is involved in; and
  • Notifying the College in writing regarding any changes in employment.

The Inquiry Committee considers these actions necessary to protect the public.


August 10, 2017
(April 25, 2021 - Limits and Conditions Updated)

The Inquiry Committee has deemed Cheryl Qian Yan eligible for reinstatement of her registration, as she has completed and passed the Canadian Pharmacy Practice Programme pursuant to the terms of the Agreement reached on February 24, 2015.

Pursuant to s. 36(1) of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached a revised Agreement with Ms. Yan, whereby after the reinstatement of her registration, for a specified period of time she must abide by certain limits and conditions on her practice, and she must disclose these limits and conditions to future employers. These limits and conditions include (but are not limited to):

  • Working under direct supervision of a BC pharmacist in good standing;
  • Not working alone;
  • Not being a supervisor, manager, and/or preceptor;
  • Informing employers and the College in writing regarding any medication-related incidents and/or errors that she is involved in; and
  • Notifying the College in writing regarding any changes in employment.

The Inquiry Committee considers these actions necessary to protect the public.


February 24, 2015
(August 10, 2017 – Registration reinstated)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to Section 36 of the Health Professions Act, has reached an agreement with Ms. Cheryl Qian Yan where she has voluntarily suspended her pharmacy licence until she has completed and passed the Canadian Pharmacy Practice Programme, and then she will be subject to placing limits and/or conditions on her practice as follows depending on the setting:

  1. If a Hospital Pharmacy or Affiliated Hospital setting:

     

    1. Ms. Yan must work under the direct supervision of a BC licensed pharmacist for a period to three (3) months full time equivalent; where with the current contract, a full time week is 37.5 hours with 7.5 hour work days; and

       

    2. Ms. Yan must not work in a hospital pharmacy or an affiliated pharmacy setting as a pharmacist in a sole practitioner capacity. This means that Ms. Yan must not supervise anyone, direct work, be a manager or a preceptor or pharmacist in charge, for a period to three (3) months full time equivalent; where with the current contract, a full time week is 37.5 hours with 7.5 hour work days.

     

  2. If a Community Pharmacy setting:

     

    1. Ms. Yan will be restricted to process no more than sixty (60) prescriptions daily, within an eight (8) hour shift for a period equivalent to six (6) months full time;

       

    2. Ms. Yan must work under the direct supervision of a BC licensed pharmacist for a period equivalent to three (3) months full time, based on 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week or a total of 480 hours;

       

    3. Ms. Yan must not work in a community pharmacy as a pharmacist in a sole practitioner capacity. This means that Ms. Yan must not supervise anyone, direct work, be a manager or a preceptor or pharmacist in charge, for a period equivalent to three (3) months full time, based on 8 hours per day /40 hours per week or a total of 480 hours; and

       

    4. Ms. Yan will be subject to a practice audit in a community pharmacy of which she must complete and pass during the above six (6) months period mentioned in the above paragraphs 2 (b) and 2 (c).

The Inquiry Committee considers these actions necessary to protect the public.

Pharmacist Registrant 47 (Aug 9, 2021)

The Inquiry Committee has approved to change pharmacist’s registration back to Active status after it had previously been suspended for an indefinite period on December 8, 2020. Pursuant to section 36 of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant whereby the pharmacist registrant consented to terms including, but not limited to, the following:

  1. To comply with any and all treatment plans as recommended by their medical providers.
     
  2. To comply with any and all return to work plans as advised by their medical providers and/or employers.
     
  3. To voluntarily stop working as a pharmacist and self-report to the College in the event that their  medical condition may hinder their performance and/or fitness to practice as a pharmacist.
     
  4. To authorize and direct any and all caregivers, treating physicians, and/or institution(s) to furnish the College with a written report and any and all information that relates to their health, including a diagnosis, prognosis, status of recovery and/or treatment plan pertaining to their health condition and recovery, when and if necessary for the College to obtain such information.

The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4) and (6) of the Health Professions Act.


December 8, 2020
(August 9, 2021 - Registration Reinstated)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to section 32.3(3)(b)(ii) of the Health Professions Act, has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant to voluntarily suspend their registration as a pharmacist effective December 8, 2020. The Agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.

Pharmacist Registrant 50 (Aug 3, 2021)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to s. 32.2(4)(b)(ii) of the Health Professions Act, has reached an agreement with the pharmacist registrant to voluntarily suspend the registration as a pharmacist effective August 3, 2021. The Agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacist registrant's name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.

Odijie, Wilson Akhahon (Jul 27, 2021)
  1. Nature of Action: The Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (“CPBC”) conducted an investigation into the practice of Wilson Akhahon Odijie (the “Registrant”), pursuant to section 33(4) of the Health Professions Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 183.

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

  2. Effective date: July 27, 2021

  3. Name of registrant: Wilson Akhahon Odijie

  4. Location of Practice: Dawson Creek, BC

  5. Admissions and acknowledgements:

    The Registrant has admitted and/or acknowledged the following:

    Between May and June 2020, while he was the pharmacy manager and pharmacist, the Registrant sold an unregulated natural health product called Ankoro powder to patients at a BC licensed pharmacy.

    The Inquiry Committee considered that the Registrant’s actions, conduct, and statements in relation to the ethical standards contravened, included the following:

    1. The Registrant did not confirm with Health Canada that the Ankoro powder was regulated or available to purchase in Canada. The Registrant did not purchase the Ankoro powder from a Health Canada approved wholesaler or pharmacy approved distributers.
       
    2. The Registrant did not use evidence-based information to determine if the Ankoro powder was safe or effective. The Registrant did not provide evidence-based information for the patients in this matter to make an informed decision about the purchase, use, and side effects of Ankoro powder.
       
    3. The Registrant sold the Ankoro powder as a regulated healthcare professional in a licensed pharmacy to four pharmacy patients.
  1. Disposition:

    The Registrant entered into a Consent Agreement with the Inquiry Committee of CPBC, wherein the Registrant consented to the following terms:

    1. To not be a pharmacy manager and preceptor for a period of two years commencing on July 27, 2021 until July 26, 2023;

    2. To successfully complete and pass an ethics course for healthcare professionals within six months;

    3. To read and/or successfully complete courses on:

      • Decision making and documentation,

      • Pharmacy inventory,

      • Researching and critically appraising evidence and recognizing high-quality evidence-based literature, and

      • Health Canada’s policies and guidelines for purchasing and selling unscheduled, unregulated products to patients.

    4. To have a Letter of Reprimand placed on his registration record for two years.

  2. Rationale:

    The Inquiry Committee considered that by procuring, purchasing, and selling Ankoro powder without evidence-based information as a registered pharmacist at a licensed pharmacy, the Registrant exhibited poor judgement that could undermine patient trust in registrants and society’s trust in the pharmacy profession. As a pharmacist and as a professional, the Registrant is expected to act in a manner consistent with the HPA, Bylaws, Schedule A, Code of Ethics (“Code of Ethics”). His actions did not support his behaviour. The procurement and sale of an unapproved, unregulated product did not protect or promote the health and well-being of his patients. The Registrant’s overall conduct amounted to professional misconduct given the violations of the Code of Ethics Standards.

    The Inquiry Committee considered the Registrant’s conduct to be serious, and that the Registrant required remediation to come into compliance. Therefore, the Inquiry Committee considered the terms of the Consent Agreement necessary to protect the public, to prevent and deter the Registrant from similar issues occurring in his future practice, and to send a clear message of deterrence to the profession. 

Filipovic, Nemanja (Jul 16, 2021)
  1. Nature of Action: The Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (the “College”) conducted an investigation into the practice of now former registrant Nemanja Filipovic (the “Former Registrant”), pursuant to section 33(4) of the Health Professions Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 183.

    The Inquiry Committee and the Former Registrant have agreed to resolve all matters arising from the investigation by way of a Consent Agreement under section 36(1) of the Health Professions Act.

  2. Effective date: July 16, 2021

  3. Name of registrant: Nemanja Filipovic

  4. Location of Practice: N/A

  5. Admissions and acknowledgements:

    Between January 2012 and June 2018, at two pharmacies, over 36,000 transactions for (non-narcotic) prescription medications, over-the-counter (“OTC”) and/or vitamin products were processed as either one-day or seven-day supplies on the PharmaNet records of 22 individuals. These 22 individuals were all either current or former employees of the two pharmacies, or family members of former employees of the two pharmacies.

    These transactions were processed contrary to the way in which medications were dispensed to the 22 individuals and there was no clinical indication for the medications to be processed and/or dispensed on a daily or weekly basis, or to be dispensed at all. Furthermore, over 17,000 of these transactions were also backdated, to make it appear on PharmaNet that the transactions were processed on certain dates when in fact they were not.

    At all material times, the Former Registrant was the director and owner of these two pharmacies.

    The Former Registrant admitted that as the director and owner of the two pharmacies, he had suggested to and enabled staff at the two pharmacies to process prescriptions in this manner in order to artificially inflate prescription counts in order to meet corporate targets. His actions enabled the inappropriate access and use of personal information and PharmaNet records, and caused PharmaNet records to be inaccurate.

  1. Disposition:

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

    1. To pay a $30,000.00 fine;

    2. To have his registration as a pharmacist suspended for a total of 540 days, to commence upon his reinstatement to Full Pharmacist status;

    3. To not be a pharmacy manager, director, owner (direct or indirect), shareholder, and preceptor for pharmacy students for a period of five years from the date that his suspension ends;

    4. To complete and successfully pass the College’s Jurisprudence Exam within one year of reinstatement to Full Pharmacist status;

    5. To successfully complete and unconditionally pass an ethics course for healthcare professionals within one year of reinstatement to Full Pharmacist status; and

    6. To appear before the Inquiry Committee for a verbal reprimand after completing the above term.

  2. Rationale:

    The Inquiry Committee determined that in his role as the pharmacies’ owner and director, the Former Registrant was in contravention of legislation which required him to ensure that meeting quotas, targets, or similar measures did not compromise patient safety or compliance with the bylaws, Code of Ethics or standards of practice. His actions, which were motivated by personal gain, enabled and perpetuated the processing of over 36,000 inaccurate PharmaNet transactions and the backdating of over 17,000 transactions, placing the affected patients at risk of harm.

    The Former Registrant’s actions were considered serious contraventions of legislation involving his role as a pharmacy director and owner. He also contravened standards of the Code of Ethics involving protecting and promoting the well-being of patients, benefitting society, committing to personal and professional integrity, and participating in ethical business practices. The totality of his conduct amounted to significant professional misconduct, which warranted the remediation and sanctions referenced above.

    The Inquiry Committee considered the terms of the Consent Agreement necessary to protect the public, as well as send a clear message of deterrence to the profession. Inappropriate access and use of personal health information compromises the public’s trust in the pharmacy profession as a whole. At all times, registrants must uphold legislative requirements and ethical obligations to appropriately access, use and protect personal health information.

Pharmacist Registrant 9 (Jun 29, 2021)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to section 36 of the Health Professions Act, has reached a new agreement with the pharmacist registrant, whereby the registrant consented to undertakings involving regular medical monitoring for fitness to practice pharmacy. The undertakings in the agreement include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Informing all managers and employers with whom the registrant gains employment of the registrant’s medical condition and the need to maintain vigilance with respect to recovery and the possibility of relapse, and the limits and conditions on registration pursuant to the agreement;
     
  • Ensuring that all managers and employers with whom the registrant gains employment submit a written statement to the College declaring awareness of the registrant’s medical condition and the agreement;
     
  • Being restricted from the following roles in practice:
    • Manager of a pharmacy;
    • Direct or indirect owner of a pharmacy; and
    • Preceptor for pharmacy students and/or international pharmacy graduates;
       
  • Notifying the College of:
    • all changes in places of employment as a pharmacist;
    • all changes in residential address and phone number; and
    • all changes in medical providers.

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.


March 22, 2021
(June 29, 2021 - Limits and Conditions Updated)

Pharmacist Registrant 9 has satisfied the terms of an agreement reached with the Inquiry Committee dated March 23, 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.


March 23, 2016
(March 22, 2021 – Limits and conditions removed)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to Section 36 of the Health Professions Act, has reached a new agreement with the pharmacist registrant for an additional five year period until March 23, 2021, whereby the registrant consented to undertakings involving regular medical monitoring for fitness to practice pharmacy. The undertakings in the agreement include, but are not limited to the following:

  1. Informing all managers and employers with whom he gains employment of his medical condition and the need to maintain vigilance with respect to recovery and the possibility of relapse, and the limits and conditions on his registration pursuant to the agreement;

  2. Ensuring that all managers and employers with whom he gains employment submits a written statement to the College declaring their awareness of his medical condition and the agreement;

  3. Being restricted from the following roles in his practice:

    1. an owner or manager of a pharmacy;
    2. a director of a corporation that owns a pharmacy; and
    3. a preceptor.

     

  4. Notifying the College 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 providers

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.


August 6, 2015
(March 23, 2016 - Limits and Conditions Updated)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to Section 36 of the Health Professions Act, has reached an agreement with the pharmacist registrant to remove the following undertakings:

  1. To return to work gradually, in accordance with the recommendations of his physician;
  2. To not work alone for a period of six months after returning to work in a pharmacy setting, meaning that he must never be the sole pharmacist in attendance at any time and that there must be another pharmacist in good standing working with him at all times;
  3. Not being involved in the dispensing, ordering, contact, destruction, counting or otherwise handling of opiate and benzodiazepine type medications.

The remainder of the undertakings are in effect until further notice.  The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld in accordance with section 39.3 (4) (a) of the Health Professions Act.


August 19, 2014
(August 6, 2015 – Partial undertakings removed)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to Section 36 of the Health Professions Act, 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. Routine and random medical monitoring;

  2. Informing all managers and employers with whom he gains employment of his medical condition and the need to maintain vigilance with respect to recovery and the possibility of relapse, and the limits and conditions on his registration pursuant to the agreement;

  3. Ensuring that all managers and employers with whom he gains employment submits a written statement to the College declaring their awareness of his medical condition and the agreement;

  4. To return to work gradually, in accordance with the recommendations of his physician;

  5. To not work alone for a period of six months after returning to work in a pharmacy setting, meaning that he must never be the sole pharmacist in attendance at any time and that there must be another pharmacist in good standing working with him at all times;

  6. Not being involved in the dispensing, ordering, contact, destruction, counting or otherwise handling of opiate and benzodiazepine type medications;

  7. Being restricted from the following roles in his practice:

    1. an owner or manager of a pharmacy;
    2. a director of a corporation that owns a pharmacy; and
    3. a preceptor.

     

  8. Notifying the College 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 two years of continuous pharmacy practice. 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.


March 15, 2011
(August 19, 2014 – Registration reinstated)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to Section 36 of the Health Professions Act, has reached an agreement with the pharmacist registrant to suspend his registration as a pharmacist effective March 15, 2011. The agreement remains in effect until further notice. 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

 

Pharmacy Technician Registrant 6 (Jun 23, 2021)

The Inquiry Committee has reinstated the pharmacy technician registrant’s registration which had previously been suspended for an indefinite period on April 19, 2021. Pursuant to section 36(1) of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached an Agreement with the pharmacy technician registrant whereby the registrant consented to terms including, but not limited to, the following:

  • To adhere to all steps and comply with all treatment and recovery plans as recommended by the medical provider(s) and/or most responsible physician(s), including maintaining compliance with medications and maintaining medical appointments;
     
  • To comply and complete all terms of the Relapse Prevention Agreement for a duration of three years after the initiation of a graduated return to work over a minimum of four to six weeks; and 
     
  • To authorize and direct any and all caregivers and treating physicians to provide the College with a report and information that relates to the registrant’s health, recovery, and/or treatment plan pertaining to any health condition what could materially impair the registrant’s performance and/or fitness to practice as a pharmacy technician.

The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacy technician registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4) of the Health Professions Act.


April 19, 2021
(June 23, 2021 - Limits and conditions updated)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to s. 32.2(4)(b)(ii) of the Health Professions Act, has reached an agreement with the pharmacy technician registrant to voluntarily suspend the registration as a pharmacy technician effective April 20, 2021. The Agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacy technician registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.

Pharmacist Registrant 49 (Jun 10, 2021)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to section 36 of the Health Professions Act, has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant to voluntarily suspend their registration as a pharmacist effective June 10, 2021. The Agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.

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