UNREGISTERED pharmacist, David Brewster, has been reprimanded for professional misconduct after appearing before the State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia in Aug 2019.
Brewster, whose registration had been cancelled in separate proceedings in 2015 (PD 16 Nov 15) and again in 2017, had been referred to the tribunal by the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
The tribunal found that, while registered as a pharmacist, Brewster imported medications for supply that he did not purchase from the respective registered sponsors, and that were not registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
Brewster was also found to have imported and supplied Epipens and Epipen Juniors in 2015, which were not approved for use in Australia and did not appear on the ARTG.
It was also found that from May 2013 to Dec 2014, Brewster bypassed the Australian Therapeutic Goods regulatory framework by directly importing Melatonin and Bio-Melatonin from an overseas supplier.
During the same period, Brewster also directly imported medications that were not listed on the ARTG, from the UK, including Gutron, Cyclogest, Cialis and Crinone.
Instead of the 12-18 month prohibition period that would normally be attached to such a case, Brewster was disqualified from applying for registration as a pharmacist until 30 Sep 2019.
According to the official tribunal papers, the decision behind the shorter prohibition period was due to the misconduct taking place between four-and-a-half to six years ago.
The Board also acknowledged that Brewster "deeply regrets the admitted conduct" and "remains committed to his profession", and has also continued to undertake professional development.
Brewster was ordered to pay $5,000 to the Board to cover the cost of the proceedings.
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