KUANG King Tan, a provisional pharmacist since 2013, has had his registration cancelled by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and is disqualified from re-applying for registration for a period of four years.
Late in May 2014 the Victorian Police were notified about an alleged sexual assault by Tan at the pharmacy where he was working and two days later the AHPRA received a notification about his conduct, from which on 03 Jun, an Immediate Action Committee of the Pharmacy Board of Australia (the Board) decided to suspend Tan's provisional registration and to investigate the notification further.
The Board referred the matter to the Tribunal following his conviction on one charge of rape and sentencing to six months' imprisonment, and subsequently upon release, a three year Community Correction Order.
In making its determination, the Tribunal affirmed that the facts of the case disclosed a 'gross and substantial breach of trust'.
It was also noted by the Tribunal that Tan had sought to mislead the police, attempted to leave the country and tried to persuade others not to notify the Board.
He also failed to report the charges and subsequent conviction to the Board although he claimed he was not aware of his obligation to do so.
The Tribunal said the purpose of the determination was not to be punitive, given that there had not been any previous transgressions and Tan had demonstrated regret and remorse for his conduct.
In addition, following completion of a sex offender treatment program, he was expected to have a low risk of reoffending, the Tribunal said.
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