Statutory Committee

Reprimand for pharmacist who stole drugs

A pharmacist who stole Controlled Drugs to satisfy an addiction has been reprimanded by the Statutory Committee after an 18-month adjournment.

At its meeting on 21 June 2004 (PJ, 11 December 2004, p866), the committee inquired into the case of Navjot Kaur Manku (registration number 1053064). Information had been received that at Carlisle magistrates’ court on 4 September 2003, Miss Manku had been convicted of two counts of possessing a Class B Controlled Drug, two counts of possessing a Class C Controlled Drug and two counts of theft. She had been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £272 costs. Ten further offences were taken into consideration.

The committee heard that Miss Manku had stolen Dexedrine, temazepam and diazepam tablets for her own use from pharmacies at which she had worked as a locum. After her arrest she had spent five weeks as an inpatient in an addiction treatment centre, and her response to treatment had been described in glowing terms by the co-ordinator of the Pharmacists Health Support Programme. She regularly attended support group meetings. She was working part-time and had good references from her employer, who was prepared to offer her a permanent post.

The committee decided to adjourn the case for 18 months, during which time Miss Manku would be expected to continue under the supervision of the health co-ordinator and the Society’s inspector would maintain contact with her employer. If nothing adverse was reported, she could expect the case to be dealt with by way of a reprimand rather than a striking-off.

At the resumed hearing on 13 December 2005, the committee heard that Miss Manku had not consumed alcohol since August 2003 and had remained drug-free since July 2004. Her employer’s area development managers had spoken highly of her progress. She had been described as “one of our success stories”.

Giving the committee’s determination, the chairman, Lord Fraser of Carmyllie, QC, said: “In all the circumstances, we see no purpose would be served in keeping this case going for any longer and, as I indicated at an earlier time, the censure of the committee will be restricted to that of a reprimand and that we will make no direction to remove.

“However, we do urge her to continue to maintain the levels of support that have been offered to her and, if she keeps up that contact, we are confident she will make a success of being a pharmacist.”