‘Questionable judgment’: B.C. pharmacist suspended for improper storage of narcotics

A B.C. pharmacist is facing an interim suspension while under investigation for alleged improper storage of narcotics, in addition to inadequate labelling and record keeping of prescriptions.As of Aug. 23, 2024, pharmacist Sahil Sharma, who is also the manager and “indirect owner” of Lougheed Pharmacy in Maple Ridge, B.C., must not practice pharmacy or act as a pharmacy manager in B.C. pending the completion of the college’s investigation and any resulting disciplinary proceeding.According to a public notice published Thursday, the college had conducted an onsite inspect at the pharmacy after receiving a tip from the public concerning opioid agonist treatment and found “multiple breaches of provincial legislation and College practice standards.”Sharma is alleged to have inadequately stored and secured narcotics and controlled drugs both inside and outside the pharmacy. The college says inventory management procedures for narcotics were not properly maintained and security equipment failed to meet legislated requirements.In addition, the college alleges there were issues with prescription products, including narcotics, being improperly labelled or completely unlabelled, and prescription and dispensing records were incomplete and inconsistent. Patient personal information was also inappropriately stored without adequate protection, the college said.The college notes that Sharma had previously investigated for “similar concerns” at a different pharmacy in 2019. Sharma had promised to abide by the legislated requirements after that case, but the college says he “did not comply with these legislated requirements, and instead consciously placed his own interests ahead of diligently adhering to requirements and protecting his patients from potential harm.”Given his history of repeated non-compliance and “questionable judgment over an extended period of time,” the college concluded that a suspension, rather than imposing limits or conditions on his practice, was necessary to protect the public.In addition to sanctions on Sharma, the college ordered that Lougheed Pharmacy must have different manager who is in good standing with the college, and that a new manager of the pharmacy must be approved by the college.

‘Questionable judgment’: B.C. pharmacist suspended for improper storage of narcotics

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