Wilson

Nature of Action: The Inquiry Committee of the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (“CPBC”) conducted an investigation into the practice of Wilson Akhahon Odijie (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 27, 2021

Name of registrant: Wilson Akhahon Odijie

Location of Practice: Dawson Creek, BC

Admissions and acknowledgements:

The Registrant has admitted and/or acknowledged the following:

Between May and June 2020, while he was the pharmacy manager and pharmacist, the Registrant sold an unregulated natural health product called Ankoro powder to patients at a BC licensed pharmacy.

The Inquiry Committee considered that the Registrant’s actions, conduct, and statements in relation to the ethical standards contravened, included the following:

1. The Registrant did not confirm with Health Canada that the Ankoro powder was regulated or available to purchase in Canada. The Registrant did not purchase the Ankoro powder from a Health Canada approved wholesaler or pharmacy approved distributers.
    
2. The Registrant did not use evidence-based information to determine if the Ankoro powder was safe or effective. The Registrant did not provide evidence-based information for the patients in this matter to make an informed decision about the purchase, use, and side effects of Ankoro powder.
    
3. The Registrant sold the Ankoro powder as a regulated healthcare professional in a licensed pharmacy to four pharmacy patients.

Disposition:

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

1. To not be a pharmacy manager and preceptor for a period of two years commencing on July 27, 2021 until July 26, 2023;

2. To successfully complete and pass an ethics course for healthcare professionals within six months;

3. To read and/or successfully complete courses on:

   • Decision making and documentation,

   • Pharmacy inventory,

   • Researching and critically appraising evidence and recognizing high-quality evidence-based literature, and

   • Health Canada’s policies and guidelines for purchasing and selling unscheduled, unregulated products to patients.

4. To have a Letter of Reprimand placed on his registration record for two years.

Rationale:

The Inquiry Committee considered that by procuring, purchasing, and selling Ankoro powder without evidence-based information as a registered pharmacist at a licensed pharmacy, the Registrant exhibited poor judgement that could undermine patient trust in registrants and society’s trust in the pharmacy profession. As a pharmacist and as a professional, the Registrant is expected to act in a manner consistent with the HPA, Bylaws, Schedule A, Code of Ethics (“Code of Ethics”). His actions did not support his behaviour. The procurement and sale of an unapproved, unregulated product did not protect or promote the health and well-being of his patients. The Registrant’s overall conduct amounted to professional misconduct given the violations of the Code of Ethics Standards.

The Inquiry Committee considered the Registrant’s conduct to be serious, and that the Registrant required remediation to come into compliance. Therefore, the Inquiry Committee considered the terms of the Consent Agreement necessary to protect the public, to prevent and deter the Registrant from similar issues occurring in his future practice, and to send a clear message of deterrence to the profession.