A Victorian registered pharmacist has been suspended for six months after it was found she had engaged in professional misconduct.
The Pharmacy Board of Australia referred the pharmacist to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal tribunal after she was charged, pleaded guilty to and was convicted, in the Magistrates Court of Victoria, of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
As the proprietor of a South Melbourne-based pharmacy, she lodged 71 PBS claims with the Department of Human Services between 2012 and 2014 containing false information, and without actually dispensing the products named to the patient or an authorised person.
The false claims resulted in fraudulent benefits being paid into a bank account associated with the pharmacy, totalling $22,419.
In addition to recording a conviction, the court imposed a fine of $7,500 and ordered her to pay compensation of $22,418.99 and costs of $136.50.
The Tribunal reprimanded the pharmacist, suspended her for six months and placed conditions on her registration upon any return to practice.
She must complete mentoring sessions with a registered health practitioner on the principles of ethical professional conduct, including Medicare billing practices and the requirements for professional conduct.
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