Pharmacy Daily | Found with no registration

A MAN has been prosecuted by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) for holding himself out as a registered pharmacist after his registration lapsed, in contravention of section 116 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2009.

On 25 Jan, he was sentenced in the Downing Centre Local Court, Sydney to a 12-month conditional release order and directed to pay Ahpra's legal costs of $3,000.

In sentencing the man, Magistrate John Arms noted the importance of registration for pharmacists, "it is not a matter which is trivial in nature - it is imperative to the safety of the community".

Pharmacy Board of Australia Chair Brett Simmonds said the decision in this case sent a strong message to all pharmacists about the importance of maintaining their registration status at all times.

"It is only through the registration process that the Pharmacy Board can ensure all Australian pharmacists meet the Board's registration standards including professional indemnity insurance, recency of practice and continuing professional development," he said.

"This case also highlights the diligent efforts of the employer who discovered the pharmacist was unregistered through a routine audit of employees.

"It is important that employers use the register of practitioners on the Ahpra website to verify the registration status of their staff."

Ahpra stated the man, who at present holds registration with the Board, is currently entitled to practise as a provisional pharmacist under supervision.

There is no suggestion that he caused any harm to any patient during the period he was not registered, assured Ahpra. JG