A pharmacist who was struck off the register in Northern Ireland has been spared the same fate in the South following a decision by the profession’s regulator in the Republic.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), which regulates pharmacists in the Republic, has censured Craig Bennett after making two findings of professional misconduct against him.
These related to his failure to inform the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland that he had been disqualified from acting as a company director, and the provision of false or misleading information to the Northern regulator.
False declarations
The ruling means Mr Bennett is free to work as a pharmacist in the Republic.
The council of the PSI decided that while it took a serious view of the false declarations made by Mr Bennett, no further sanction was warranted or appropriate at this stage, given the disciplinary procedures which had already taken place in the North.
Mr Bennett ran a pharmacy and a string of convenience stores in Northern Ireland before going bankrupt when the property bubble burst.
He was disqualified for 13 years from being a company director after amassing debts of €10 million and misappropriating money from Dreemore Developments, a company he had set up. Although there was no issue about his activity as a pharmacist, the Northern regulator took the view that his conduct "within and without pharmacy" was viewed as misconduct.
He is listed on the PSI register as working for Care pharmacy in Skerries, Co Dublin.
Incorrect dose
In another finding of the PSI, Co Sligo-based Jennifer Colville was censured for poor professional performance. On several occasions, she dispensed medication to an infant without looking at the prescription. On each occasion, the dose dispensed was incorrect.
The PSI council ruled that publication was required in the public interest in order to inform and educate the public properly and to promote public confidence in the profession and the way it is regulated.
In a third decision, reached by mediation, an unnamed pharmacist was censured after supplying used syringes which had been returned by a patient to another patient who injected themselves with them.
Audit of protocols
Under the decision, the pharmacist has to enter a mentorship programme for six months, during which s/he may not act as a superintendent pharmacist.
An audit of protocols at the pharmacy is to be carried out and the pharmacist was required to pay the costs involved.
