Irish Pharmacist Found Guilty of Misconduct, Faces Sanctions

A fitness-to-practise committee from the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) has determined that pharmacist Edward Malone is guilty of professional misconduct and poor performance. The findings stem from an inquiry that examined allegations related to his time as the supervising pharmacist at Tinahely Pharmacy in County Wicklow and his role as superintendent pharmacist at Lalor’s CarePlus Pharmacy in Donnycarney, Dublin, both in 2015.

The PSI inquiry revealed that between May 12 and July 30, 2015, Mr. Malone allegedly added handwritten items to prescriptions at Tinahely Pharmacy that were not authorized. Allegations also include that he received payments from the primary care reimbursement service (PCRS) for these items, which he supplied without valid prescriptions, violating PSI regulations.

The inquiry continued on the second day with testimony from PSI officer Amanda Nevin, who presented evidence regarding Mr. Malone’s actions while at both pharmacies. During the proceedings, it was clarified that high-tech medications, typically prescribed by consultants, can also be authorized by general practitioners under PSI guidelines.

The legal representative for the registration authority, Brian Gageby, indicated that cancellation of Mr. Malone’s registration would be an appropriate sanction, suggesting he should be ineligible to reapply for five years. In defense, Ronan Kennedy SC, representing Mr. Malone, stated that his client had no objection to this proposed sanction.

The committee did not address sanctions during the Wednesday hearing. Instead, it will compile a report to be forwarded to the PSI Council, which will ultimately decide on the appropriate actions regarding both Mr. Malone and Caveator Limited, the owner of Lalor’s Pharmacy.

This case highlights the critical role of regulatory bodies in ensuring pharmacists adhere to the standards of practice and maintain patient safety. The PSI’s commitment to upholding these standards is evident in its thorough investigation and proceedings against Mr. Malone. Further developments will shed light on the final decisions regarding sanctions and the implications for the involved parties.