Leanne

Nature of Action: ​The Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (“CPBC”) conducted an investigation into the practice of Leanne Hong Le Bao (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.

Effective date: January 31, 2020

Name of registrant: Leanne Hong Le Bao

Location of Practice: Vancouver, BC

Admissions and Acknowledgements:

The Registrant has admitted and/or acknowledged the following (in part):

1. The Registrant was in breach of her previous consented undertakings, which can be considered professional misconduct under section 26 of the HPA;
    

2. The Registrant did not process methadone prescriptions on PharmaNet prior to dispensing on at least 25 occasions, contrary to section 21(1) now section 35(1) of the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act (“PODSA”), Bylaws;

3. The Registrant did not ensure appropriate documentation and record keeping relating to Methadone Maintenance Treatment practices, contrary to principle 4.1.3 and 2.1.2 of Professional Practice Policy – 66;

4. As pharmacy manager, the Registrant did not ensure that the pharmacy’s premise was suitable for operation, contrary to section 2(1)(b)(iv) of PODSA prior to April 1, 2018, section 11(2)(c)(d) now section 25(2)(c)(d) of the PODSA, Bylaws and section 8(a) of the Food and Drugs Act. 
    

Disposition:

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

1. To not be a pharmacy manager until:

   • She has completed Jurisprudence Exam;
   • She has completed “The BC Community Pharmacy Manager Training Program” offered by the British Columbia Pharmacy Association; and
   • She has met with the Deputy Registrar to reflect on her conduct and how she will improve her pharmacy practice going forward.
      
2. To acknowledge a CPBC follow-up inspection may be conducted within a year; and
    

3. To pay a $5,000.00 fine.​

Rationale:

The Registrant consented to undertakings in relation to a previous file. The undertakings in the previous file included the College conducting a follow-up inspection. Upon re-inspection, College investigators observed similar deficiencies, including narcotic counts and reconciliations were not completed, Methadone Maintenance Treatment documentation and record keeping were not appropriately completed, and the Pharmacy premise was not suitable for dispensing. Based on this, the Inquiry Committee determined the Registrant’s practice did not comply with the legislated practice standards and that the Registrant was in breach of her previous Consent Agreement, which can be considered as professional misconduct. The Inquiry Committee considered the Registrant’s conduct to be serious and that the Registrant required remediation and a deterrence in order for her practice to come into compliance.

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.