Billy

Nature of Action: ​The Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (“CPBC”) conducted an investigation into the practice of Billy Lee (the “Registrant”), pursuant to section 33(4) of the Health Professions Act, R.S.B.C. 1996 c. 183. 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 Health Professions Act.

Effective date: July 8, 2020

Name of registrant: Billy Lee

Location of Practice: Richmond, BC

Admissions and Acknowledgements:

The Registrant has admitted and/or acknowledged the following: 

1. While he was a pharmacist registrant, he was involved with a company known as Quantum Solutions, SRL that sold wholesale quantities of Schedule 1 prescription drugs to pharmacies located in the United States over a period of four years between 2007 and 2011. This conduct was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Pennsylvania which resulted in criminal charges being filed against the Registrant and others. The Registrant entered a guilty plea to the charges and was sentenced to pay fines and to three years’ probation commencing July 31, 2018 and ending on July 31, 2021.

2. The Registrant has acknowledged to CPBC that his involvement with Quantum was a contravention the following legislation (as the legislation existed between 2007 and 2011):

   1. Section 9 of the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Schedule Act, S.B.C. 2003, c. 77 (“PODSA”) (which was prior to April 1, 2009 section 29 of the Pharmacists, Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 363);

   2. Which was then Section 3(5) of Bylaws to PODSA (which was prior to April 1, 2009 section 31(5) of the Bylaws of the Council of the College of Pharmacists of BC (“Council Bylaws”));

   3. Which was then section 90(1)(d) of the Council Bylaws; and

   4. Which was then Value I of the Code of Ethics.

Disposition:

The Registrant entered into a Consent Agreement with the Inquiry Committee wherein the Registrant consented to the following terms (in part):

1. To not repeat the conduct to which this matter relates;

2. To successfully complete and pass an ethics course for healthcare professionals;
    
3. To have a letter of reprimand placed on the College register for a period of five years;
    

4. To be suspended as a registrant of the College for a period of 90 consecutive days, commencing July 8, 2020; and

5. To not act as a pharmacy manager, direct or indirect owner of a pharmacy, and preceptor for a period of 180 days from the date that his suspension ends.

Rationale:

The Inquiry Committee considered that in this case, the misconduct of the Registrant was of a serious nature and that the Registrant should have known that his conduct was unbecoming of a pharmacist.

The Inquiry Committee considered the totality of the Registrant’s conduct and considered the terms of the Consent Agreement necessary to protect the public as well as send a clear message of deterrence to the profession.