'Deplorable': Pharmacist who filed over $660K in false claims hit with 15-month suspension and $12,500 in costs

An Ontario pharmacist who submitted unsubstantiated drug claims totalling more than $660,000 over two-and-a-half years has been suspended for 15 months and ordered to pay $12,500 for investigation and hearing costs. Leon Rawa, a Toronto pharmacist and pharmacy owner, was also prohibited for five years from having any proprietary interests in a pharmacy business and ordered to complete a mentorship program pertinent to his offences. The Ontario College of Pharmacists’ discipline panel described Rawa’s actions as “deplorable.” “As a long-standing member of the college, he should have known better,” wrote the college in a case summary posted on its website. “The (discipline) panel observed that the volume of unsubstantiated claims over a prolonged period of many months, which amounted to over $660,000, is an example of the registrant’s disregard for the trust that has been placed on him by the public and the profession.” Read: $80k in false claims, other offences adds up to suspension and $35K in costs for Ontario pharmacist According to the case summary, between January 2018 and July 2020, Rawa submitted falsified or misleading invoices for products or services. During this period he falsified records relating to his practice or to patients’ health records and signed falsified or misleading documents. In doing so he broke several laws, in particular the Ontario Drug Benefit Act, wrote the college. The discipline panel has allowed for one month of the 15-month suspension period to be remitted on condition that Rawa complete the mentorship program within 12 months of the order's date. “The registrant’s actions demonstrated poor judgement and a disregard for the regulatory framework,” wrote the college. “His conduct involved significant elements of moral failing and dishonesty. The nature and seriousness of his misconduct casts doubt on his moral fitness and his ability to discharge the duties and obligations the public expects of a member of this college.” Read: 10-month suspension for relief pharmacist who appropriated ADHD drugs from 14 employers

'Deplorable': Pharmacist who filed over $660K in false claims hit with 15-month suspension and $12,500 in costs

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