Public Notifications

The Inquiry Committee has reinstated pharmacist registrant’s registration which had previously been suspended indefinitely on June 14, 2016. Pursuant to section 36 of the Health Professions Act, the Inquiry Committee has reached an Agreement with the pharmacist registrant whereby the Registrant consented to undertakings involving regular monitoring for fitness to practice pharmacy. The undertakings include, but are not limited to:

1. Strictly adhering to Registrant’s routine medical monitoring program with the institution currently involved in Registrant’s care and remaining on the monitoring program for a minimum period of two (2) years following the Registrant’s return to active employment as a pharmacist;

2. Continuing to attend the Twelve Step meetings and Health Professionals Recovery Group as stipulated in the Registrant’s Recovery Management Agreement for a minimum of 2 years following the Registrant’s return to active employment as a pharmacist;

3. Informing all managers and employers with whom Registrant gains employment of registrant’s medical condition and the limits and conditions on Registrant’s registration pursuant to the agreement;

4. Ensuring that all managers and employers with whom Registrant gains employment submit a written statement to the College declaring their awareness of Registrant’s medical condition and the agreement, and how they will accommodate and supervise Registrant working in pharmacy;

5. Not working in isolation after returning to work in a pharmacy setting and that at least 80% of the Registrant’s working hours must be with another pharmacist;

6. After returning to work in a pharmacy setting, Registrant will not handle or physically prepare or dispense prescriptions for narcotic, controlled, opioid and sedative drugs, except if from time to time this is not possible, then Registrant can only hand them to the patient and provide patient counselling;

7. Not having access to narcotic-safe or physically process and/or otherwise prepare any prescriptions that require access to the narcotic safe;

8. Not being involved in any way with ordering supplies of narcotic medications;

9. Being restricted from acting in the following roles in Registrant’s practice:
   1. an owner or manager of a pharmacy;
   2. a director of a corporation that owns a pharmacy; and
   3. a preceptor

    

10. Notifying the College, in writing or via e-mail, of:
    1. ​all changes in places of employment as a pharmacist;
    2. all changes in residential address and phone number; and
    3. all changes in medical provider.

The Agreement will remain in place for a minimum of two years from the date of execution of the Agreement, following which the Registrant will be assessed by the treating physician to determine whether continuation of monitoring is necessary. The name of the Registrant has been withheld in accordance with section 39.3(4)(a) of the Health Professions Act for the purposes of not identifying the personal health information of the Registrant respecting the condition. The Inquiry Committee is satisfied that the undertakings will protect the public.

June 14, 2016

(December 6, 2016 - Registration Reinstated)

The Inquiry Committee pursuant to section 36 of the Health Professions Act, has reached an Agreement with pharmacist registrant to suspend registration as a pharmacist effective June 14, 2016. The Agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the Agreement necessary to protect the public. The Registrant's name has been withheld pursuant to 39.3(4) of the Health Professions Act.

Pharmacist Registrant 24 has satisfied terms of an agreement reached with the Inquiry Committee on April 22, 2016. Limits and conditions on pharmacist registrant’s registration as a pharmacist have now been removed. The pharmacist registrant’s name has been withheld pursuant to 39.3(4) of the Health Professions Act.

The Inquiry Committee received and considered a consent order proposal from Nikhil Kantilal Buhecha (the “Registrant”) prior to the commencement of a hearing into allegations against him, set to proceed before the Discipline Committee on July 18, 2016.  The proposal was made pursuant to section 37.1 of the Health Professions Act.  The Inquiry Committee reviewed the proposal, the allegations against the Registrant set out in the Citation and decided to accept the terms which are now orders pursuant to section 37.1(3)(a) of the Health Professions Act.  The Inquiry Committee considers that the following orders made against the Registrant are consistent with the seriousness of the facts and circumstances set out in the Citation:

• That the Registrant’s registration as a Full Pharmacist be suspended for a period of three (3) years, to commence on July 20, 2016;
• That the Registrant pay a $50,000 fine and $100,000 in costs - $75,000 of the total amount to be paid prior to his reinstatement and the remaining $75,000 to be paid no later than one year from date of reinstatement;
• That the Registrant not be an owner or director of a pharmacy in British Columbia for a period of five (5) years from the date his suspension commences;
• That prior to reinstatement the Registrant comply with Criminal Records Review Act requirements;
• That prior to reinstatement the Registrant write a letter to the Inquiry Committee reflecting upon his conduct in this matter and what he has learned; and
• That prior to reinstatement the Registrant successfully complete Parts 1 and 2 of the Pharmacist Qualifying Exam through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada, the College’s Jurisprudence Exam, and the ProBE ethics program.​

The Inquiry Committee, pursuant to Section 36 of the Health Professions Act, has reached an agreement with pharmacist registrant to suspend his registration as a pharmacist effective July 1, 2016. The agreement remains in effect until further notice. The Inquiry Committee considers the agreement necessary to protect the public. The registrant's name has been withheld, pursuant to 39.3(4) of the Health Professions Act.