Pharmacy:
Pursuant to s. 20(3) of the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act, S.B.C. 2003, c. 77 and s. 35(1)(b) of the Health Professions Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 183, the Inquiry Committee made an extraordinary order to suspend the pharmacy license of Downtown Pharmacy, located at 348 Powell Street in Vancouver, pending completion of an investigation. This order is effective September 9, 2015 and was made in the interest of public safety following an inspection of the pharmacy by College inspectors, which raised serious concerns with respect to unhygienic conditions of the pharmacy, and the suitability of the premises to continue operating as a pharmacy. Examples of such conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Dirty, graffiti-filled exterior (window, walls, door) of the pharmacy
- Dirty and dilapidated interior walls, fixtures, flooring, ceiling tiles, and furniture – appearance of stains, cobwebs, dust, and peeling paint
- Mould and dirt found on the walls, fixtures, and inside of cupboards holding dispensing equipment such as graduated cylinders
- Mouse bait traps and fecal matter found within dispensary and storage area
- Old and moldy food products, such as an open package of “Pancake Mix” found in a cupboard above the dispensary sink
The suspension will be effective as of September 9, 2015 and will continue until further notice.
Pharmacy manager:
The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to s. 35(1)(a) of the Health Professions Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 183, for the purposes of public protection, has imposed limits and conditions on the practice of registrant Amarjit Kaur Singh, in that she may not be a pharmacy manager, director, or owner effective September 16, 2015, pending completion of an investigation.
The registrant was the pharmacy manager and director of Downtown Pharmacy, and did not fulfill the responsibilities of a pharmacy manager and director to operate a pharmacy that met legislative and practice standards. She allowed the pharmacy premises, where medications are prepared and dispensed, to become an unsafe and unhygienic environment, causing harm or potential harm to the public.