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Pharmacist Registrant 30 (Mar 14, 2024)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to section 32.2(4)(b)(ii) of the Health Professions Act, has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant to voluntarily suspend their registration as a pharmacist effective March 14, 2024. The Agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.

Hajrizaj, Fitim (Jan 26, 2024)
  1. Nature of Action: The Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of BC (the “College”) conducted an investigation into the conduct of now former registrant Fitim Hajrizaj (the “Former Registrant”), pursuant to section 33(4) of the Health Professions Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 183 (“HPA”). The Inquiry Committee and the Former Registrant have agreed to resolve all matters arising from the investigation by way of a Consent Agreement under section 36(1) of the HPA.
     
  2. Effective date: January 26, 2024

  3. Name of registrant: Fitim Hajrizaj

  4. Location of Practice: Esquimalt, BC

  5. Admissions and Acknowledgements: 

    Between 2021 and 2022, while working as a pharmacist at a federally regulated facility, the Former Registrant misappropriated controlled drugs and falsified records to conceal his conduct

  6. Disposition:

    The Former Registrant entered into a Consent Agreement with the College’s Inquiry Committee, wherein he consented to terms that included (but not limited to) the following, which would take effect if and when the Former Registrant is reinstated to an active practicing registration class:

    1. To be suspended as a registrant of the College for a period of 90 days, to commence immediately upon his reinstatement to an active practicing registration class;

    2. To have the following limits and conditions applied to his practice for a period of 3 years, to commence on the date that the 90-day suspension ends:

      1. To not be a pharmacy manager or preceptor for pharmacy students;
         
      2. In relation to narcotic and controlled drugs, to not place and receive orders or have related signing authority, to not conduct inventory counts and reconciliations, and to not handle, dispose, destroy, or return such substances;
         
    3. To complete and successfully pass an ethics course for healthcare professionals, within one year of reinstatement to an active practicing registration class; and

    4. To pay a fine of $1,000.00 within one year of reinstatement to an active practicing registration class.
       
    The terms for this Consent Agreement also include a letter of reprimand that has been placed on the College register.
     
  7. Rationale:

    The Inquiry Committee considered it owes a duty to the public and to the pharmacy profession to enforce and maintain the standards of practice and code of conduct expected of members of the profession.

    The Inquiry Committee considered that the Former Registrant’s conduct was highly unethical and amounted to a “serious matter” and “professional misconduct” as defined in section 26 of the HPA. The Former Registrant took advantage of his role, authority, and privileges as a pharmacist, thereby undermining the integrity of the pharmacy profession. While there were mitigating factors, his conduct was unlawful and was a clear breach of the ethical standards expected of pharmacy professionals.

    The Inquiry Committee considered the terms of the Consent Agreement necessary to protect the public, as well as send a clear message of deterrence to the profession. 

Pharmacist Registrant 28 (Dec 19, 2023)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to section 32.2(4)(b)(ii) of the Health Professions Act, has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant to voluntarily suspend their registration as a pharmacist effective December 19, 2023. The Agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.

Pharmacist Registrant 56 (Dec 12, 2023)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to section 32.3(3)(b)(ii) of the Health Professions Act, has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant to voluntarily suspend their registration as a pharmacist effective December 12, 2023. The Agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.

Pharmacist Registrant 55 (Nov 9, 2023)

Pursuant to Section 32.2(4)(b)(i) of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached a Consent Agreement with the pharmacist registrant whereby the pharmacist registrant consented to terms including, but not limited to, the following:

  1. To refrain from:

    1. providing any and all services that fall under the definition of “practice of pharmacy” in section 1 of the Pharmacists Regulation, BC Reg. 111/2023 (the “Regulations”); and

    2. providing any and all restricted activities listed in s. 4 of the Regulations.

These terms remain in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considered these terms necessary to protect the public. The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.

Pharmacist Registrant 54 (Oct 25, 2023)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to section 32.2(4)(b)(ii) of the Health Professions Act, has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant to voluntarily suspend their registration as a pharmacist effective October 25, 2023. The Agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.

Yang, Hao ("David") (Jul 30, 2023)
  1. Nature of Action: The Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (the “College”) conducted an investigation into the conduct of Hao (“David”) Yang (the “Registrant”), pursuant to section 33(4) of the Health Professions Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 183 (“HPA”).

    The Inquiry Committee and the Registrant have agreed to resolve all matters arising from the investigation by way of a Consent Agreement under section 36(1) of the HPA.

  2. Effective date: July 30, 2023

  3. Name of registrant: Hao “David” Yang

  4. Location of Practice: Victoria, BC

  5. Admissions and Acknowledgements: 

    The Inquiry Committee determined, and the Registrant acknowledged:

    1. That he obtained a patient’s phone number from the patient’s local profile on the pharmacy’s prescription software and used this information to contact the patient via Whatsapp for purposes unrelated to providing health care services, contrary to section 71 of the HPA Bylaws.

    2. The Registrant’s conduct breached sections 3C, 3D, 7B, 8A, 8D of the Code of Ethics, and the Code of Ethics Patient Relations Program Standard.

    3. The Registrant’s conduct was considered to be professional misconduct as defined by section 26 of the HPA.
       
  6. Disposition:

    The Registrant entered into a Consent Agreement with the College’s Inquiry Committee, wherein the Registrant consented to terms that included (but not limited to) the following: 

    1. To pay a $3,500.00 fine;

    2. To be suspended as a registrant of the College for a period of ninety (90) days from September 15, 2023 to December 14, 2023;

    3. To complete and successfully pass an ethics course for healthcare professionals;

    4. To appear before the Inquiry Committee for a verbal reprimand after completing the ethics course; and
       
    5. To have a letter of reprimand placed permanently on the College register.
       
  7. Rationale:

    The Inquiry Committee considered that the Registrant’s conduct in the incident underscored an egregious impairment of judgment that could undermine the public’s trust.

    The Inquiry Committee determined that there did not appear to be a valid reason for the Registrant to contact the patient via WhatsApp and that the Registrant did not maintain a professional boundary with the patient. For these reasons, the Inquiry Committee considered that the Registrant’s actions constituted unethical conduct and therefore may be considered professional misconduct.

    The Inquiry Committee determined that the appropriate disposition should include serious progressive deterrents given the Registrant’s conduct in a previous investigation, and to also address the Registrant’s conduct of submitting contradictory statements.

    The Inquiry Committee considered the terms of the Consent Agreement necessary to protect the public, as well as send a clear message of deterrence to the profession. 

Pharmacist Registrant 52 (Jun 19, 2023)

The Inquiry Committee has reinstated the pharmacist registrant’s registration which had previously been suspended for an indefinite period on December 19, 2022. Pursuant to Section 32.2(4)(b)(i) of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached a Consent Agreement with the pharmacist registrant whereby the pharmacist registrant consented to terms including, but not limited to, the following:

  1. To comply with any and all treatment plans as recommended by their medical providers.
     
  2. To comply with any and all work plans as advised by their medical providers and/or employers.

  3. To comply with every term of their Relapse Prevention Agreement (“RPA”).

  4. In the event of any interruption to the agreed monitoring schedule set out in the RPA, the registrant will advise the College of the interruption as soon as possible and provide an explanation for the interruption.

  5. To not handle or dispense opioid medications for a period of one (1) year after returning to practice; 

  6. To not work more than forty (40) hours per week for a period of 3-months after returning to work;

  7. The registrant will inform the College in writing, via e-mail, of their places of work as a pharmacist and report any changes to the location of their work within 48 hours of such change. A reportable change to the registrant’s place of work contemplates both commencement and termination of work.

  8. Prior to the commencement of work at any pharmacy, the registrant shall:
    1. Disclose to the pharmacy manager and/or employer the limits and conditions on their license pursuant to their Consent Agreement;
    2. Ensure that any pharmacy manager and/or employer with whom the registrant secures work in a pharmacy submits a written statement to the College declaring their awareness of the registrant’s Consent Agreement and the limits and conditions on the registrant’s license to practice pharmacy. This statement must be received within 48 hours of securing work and/or within 48 hours of any change of pharmacy manager at the registrant’s place of work.

The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.


December 19, 2022
(June 19, 2023 - Registration Reinstated)

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to s. 32.2(4)(b)(ii) of the Health Professions Act, has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant to voluntarily suspend the registration as a pharmacist effective December 19, 2022. The Agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The pharmacist registrant's name has been withheld pursuant to section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act.

Kassam, Farah Shafikali (Apr 27, 2023)
  1. Nature of Action: The Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (the “College”) investigated a complaint about the practice of Farah Kassam (the “Registrant”), pursuant to section 33(1) of the Health Professions Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, C. 183 (“HPA”).
     

    The Inquiry Committee and the Registrant have agreed to resolve all matters arising from the investigation by way of a Consent Order under section 37.1 of the HPA.

  2. Effective date: April 27, 2023

  3. Name of registrant: Farah Shafikali Kassam

  4. Location of Practice: Nanaimo, British Columbia 

  5. Admissions and Acknowledgements: 

    The College received a complaint from a former patient and employee of the Registrant regarding the dispensing of Opioid Agonist Treatment (“OAT”), removal of personal health records from the pharmacy, and making false representations on PharmaNet.

    In the course of the College’s investigation of the complaint, the Registrant admitted shortcomings in her practice but alleged that the complaint had been made in retaliation for the complainant’s loss of employment. The College considered that this was not mitigating due to the Registrant’s acknowledgement of most of the practice concerns raised by the College investigation.

    Before being hired as an employee, the complainant was a patient of the pharmacy owned and managed by the Registrant. The hiring of the complainant, who continued to be a patient, created a dual relationship and the potential for ethical concerns.

    Over the course of the complainant’s employment, ethical concerns arose, as the Registrant gave special treatment to the complainant with respect to the preparation and dispensing of the complainant's OAT in water rather than in Tang. The Registrant specifically admitted that she engaged in practices inconsistent with the OAT dispensing guidelines for approximately a year, without documenting her consultations with the prescriber or exercise of professional judgment.

    In addition, the Registrant admitted that the complainant’s PharmaNet records were inaccurate to the extent they continued to indicate the dispensing of OAT in Tang.

    Finally, the Registrant admitted creating an increased privacy risk by permitting the complainant to take home confidential personal health records of other patients so the complainant could work at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Registrant acknowledged that her conduct raises practice concerns in the following areas:

    1. HPA Bylaws, s. 74 (privacy);

    2. Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act Bylaws, s. 35(1) (PharmaNet record to be kept current); and

    3. Code of Ethics – Standards 4a (privacy), 4b (confidentiality), 4c (confidentiality), 6f (professional boundaries), 7d (compliance generally), 7f (resist influence), 8a (conflict of interest), and 8d (dual relationships).
  6. Disposition:

    By Consent Order under s. 37.1 of the HPA, the Inquiry Committee ordered the Registrant to:

    1. receive a written reprimand which will be permanently placed in the College register from the effective date of the Consent Order; 

    2. undertake to not repeat the conduct to which this matter relates; 

    3. undertake to thoroughly read and review the following relevant legislative standards, within fourteen (14) days of the Consent Order:

      1. the Health Professions Act and its Bylaws;
      2. the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act and its Bylaws;
      3. the HPA Bylaws, Schedule F, Part 1 – Community Pharmacy Standards of Practice; and
      4. Professional Practice Policy #66 – Opioid Agonist Treatment. 

       

    4. submit to the College a signed Declaration of Understanding indicating that she understands and, in the future, will strictly abide by the practice standards, legislation, and policies read and reviewed further to paragraph c. 
       
    5. undertake to, within 30 days of the Consent Order:
      1. thoroughly review the Code of Ethics – Detailed;
      2. retake the Code of Ethics Educational Tutorial available on the College website; and 
      3. submit to the College a signed Declaration of Completion (with Pharmacy Oath) associated with the Code of Ethics Educational Tutorial
         
    6. undertake to, within 180 days of the Consent Order and at her own cost, successfully complete with an unconditional pass, the “Ethics and Boundaries Program” offered by PROBE Canada. 
       
    7. undertake to, within 90 days of the Consent Order and at her own cost (as applicable):
      1. read "A Guideline for the Clinical Management of Opioid Use Disorder" published by the BC Centre on Substance Use;
      2. successfully complete the "Provincial Opioid Addiction Treatment Support Program" Online course offered by the University of British Columbia, and submit a Certificate of Completion for the training program to the College;
       
    8. undertake to write and submit to the College, within one year of the Consent Order, a summary (of substantive quality akin to materials that can be presented to peers at a continuing education event) describing the changes implemented in her practice in light of the investigation of the events leading to the Consent Order and the education completed further to the Consent Order.
       
    9. not act as a pharmacy manager or preceptor of pharmacy students for a period of one year commencing on the effective date of the Consent Order; and
       
    10. pay a fine in the amount of $5,000, and costs in the amount of $10,000, to the College.
       
  7. Rationale:

    The Inquiry Committee recognized the Registrant’s claims that she had been taken advantage of and “set up” by the complainant, but considered that regardless of whether or not this could be substantiated, the Registrant’s failure to comply with legislative and ethical standards required remediation.

    The College considered that the Registrant fundamentally failed to meet legislative requirements, exercise appropriate professional judgment, uphold ethical responsibilities, or fulfil her role as a pharmacy manager and registrant of the College. Therefore, the Inquiry Committee considered the Registrant’s conduct to be serious, and that the Registrant required both remediation and deterrence in order to come into compliance. The Inquiry Committee considered the terms of the Consent Order necessary to protect the public, as well as send a clear message of deterrence to the profession.

Wang, Dai Wei (“David”) (Apr 27, 2023)
  1. Nature of Action: The Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia the (“College”) conducted investigations into the conduct of now former registrant Dai Wei (“David”) Wang (the “Registrant”), pursuant to section 33(4) of the Health Professions Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 183 (“HPA”). Further to a proposal for resolution from the Registrant, the Inquiry Committee made a Consent Order under section 37.1 of the HPA.
     
  2. Effective date: April 27, 2023

  3. Name of registrant: Dai Wei (“David”) Wang

  4. Location of Practice: Vancouver, BC

  5. Admissions and Acknowledgements: 

    The Registrant has admitted and/or acknowledged the following:

    1. he failed to respond to requests for information made in multiple investigations despite numerous follow-up communications from the College made by email, and telephone;

    2. his conduct as described in paragraph 5(a) constitutes both a breach of the ethical obligations set out in Standard 7(a) to (e) of the Code of Ethics and unprofessional conduct as defined in section 26 of the HPA.

  6. Disposition:

    The Consent Order made by the Inquiry Committee under section 37.1 of the HPA, included the following terms:

    1. a written reprimand;

    2. a one-month suspension to be served following any reinstatement to Full Pharmacist registration with the College;

    3. payment of costs in the amount of $10,000 to the College; and

    4. an undertaking to complete the PROBE Ethics and Boundaries Program, achieving an unconditional pass, prior to returning to the practice of pharmacy, whether in British Columbia or in any other jurisdiction.
       
  7. Rationale:

    The Registrant failed to cooperate with three College investigations. He failed to reply to numerous communication attempts made by the College investigator who had sought a response and further information in regards to a first investigation. The Registrant’s failure to acknowledge and respond to the College investigator for the first investigation caused a second investigation to be initiated regarding the Registrant’s failure to respond. Despite being advised of this second investigation and reminded of his duty to cooperate with both investigations and respond to the investigator’s requests further to those investigations, the Registrant again failed to respond. The Registrant also failed to respond to questions from the College’s Licensure Department regarding pharmacy licensure information, which led to the commencement of a third investigation. The College investigator advised the Registrant of this third investigation and sought a response, but, again, no response was provided. These investigations generated unnecessary expenses for the College.

    After the issuance of a Citation, the Registrant advised the College of issues affecting his personal life at the time of the investigations. The Registrant acknowledged he ought to have advised the College of these issues, and that failing respond to the investigation was unacceptable, as it impeded the College from carrying out its public duty.

    College representatives, including investigators inquiring into allegations of misconduct are carrying out the College’s public protection mandate and must be treated with respect. When repeated communication attempts are made by a College investigator it is inappropriate and disrespectful to ignore these inquiries. College representatives require the cooperation of registrants to carry out their work effectively. This includes providing timely answers to questions posed by investigators. When registrants do not cooperate with investigators and College investigations, they undermine the ability of the College to properly regulate the profession and protect the public and cause wastage of the College’s finite resources.

    In light of these factors, the Inquiry Committee therefore considered it appropriate that the disposition be one that serves as a strong deterrent and sends a clear message to both the profession and the public that the College does not tolerate failure by registrants to cooperate with a College investigation.

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