Banned for a year: Pharmacist claimed fear of getting infected by doctors made him forge 50 prescriptions

A Québec pharmacist who used the credentials of multiple doctors to write fake prescriptions for himself and several family members has been hit with 10 sentences. Each sentence carried a penalty suspending him for 12 months, however L’Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec decided to allow him to serve them concurrently. Mohamed Hassan, who was employed at two Montreal pharmacies until he was terminated in 2020, admitted to forging 50 prescriptions over a four-year period, using the names and licence numbers of seven doctors and one dentist—all of whom confirmed with the L’Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec that they did not issue or authorize any of these prescriptions. He submitted insurance claims—which were paid directly to him and family members—for these prescriptions. The drugs Hassan fraudulently prescribed include antidepressants, several antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and gargles. College investigators noted that he also made sudden changes to the molecules and dosages for the antidepressants. Read: Right label, wrong meds: Patient trying to get pregnant gets drugs that stop hormone production In his defence, Hassan explained that his actions were motivated by a desire to protect a member of his family, who suffered from Crohn’s disease, against infection. This was why Hassan and other family members did not consult doctors for their prescriptions and, in fact, did not even have a family doctor. Hassan asserted he thought he had no choice but to proceed illegally in order to protect his sick relative. He also said he was the only financial provider for his family at the time and that any trips to emergency rooms resulted in a loss of pay for him. However he also admitted that even after he finally got a family doctor he continued with his fraudulent activities, explaining that the pandemic made him even more afraid of infecting his family members. He told the college he felt “lost.” Read: 10-month suspension for relief pharmacist who appropriated ADHD drugs from 14 employers In presenting its recommendations for sanctions, the college expressed concerns about Hassan’s credibility and risk for reoffending, pointing out parts of his statement that did not align with evidence in the file. For example, Hassan explained that he forged the prescriptions for himself because he didn’t have a family doctor. However, even after he obtained a family doctor he continued to fake prescriptions. Some of these prescriptions were also issued after he received a warning in May 2020 as part of a request for investigation by the college. Another concern brought up during the hearing was Hassan’s new work as a contract pharmacist in a remote northern part of the province, where he would be under a lower level of supervision. In addition to the issuance of a 12-month suspension for each of the 10 counts he was charged with, Hassan is also ordered to pay the full costs of investigation, hearings and publication of the hearing outcome. Read: Want to dispense meds and investigate suspicious deaths? If you’re in Quebec you might be able to do both

Banned for a year: Pharmacist claimed fear of getting infected by doctors made him forge 50 prescriptions

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