PROFESSIONAL Pharmacists Australia (PPA) has criticised the Pharmacy Board of Australia's decision to suspend a Queenland-based pharmacist from practising for more than four years based on an "inaccurate diagnosis" that the pharmacist suffered from an alcohol abuse disorder.
Speaking after the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) found the Board had unfairly placed restrictions on the pharmacist's registration without adequate evidence, and lifted all restrictions, PPA Principal Industrial Officer, Jacki Baulch, raised concerns about the way the case was handled.
"We were appalled by the Pharmacy Board's approach to this case, which discredited our member based on a previous history of mental illness and incorrect/unfounded assumptions about drug and alcohol use," she said.
PPA noted that from 2016 the pharmacist had been suspended from practising, or had been forced to work as a pharmacy assistant, while being directed to undertake weekly drug tests at their own cost.
The Board took further action in Dec 2018, after the pharmacist failed to attend a drug test as directed, prompting the PPA to apply to QCAT for a reivew of the decision to place continuous restrictions on the individual's registration.
"PPA submitted evidence from independent medical professionals which countered the evidence of the Board and demonstrated that an inaccurate diagnosis had been made that the member was suffering from an alcohol abuse disorder," the PPA said.
"The independent medical professionals led evidence that the mandated drug test was not suitable as the only evidence in support of the diagnosis.
"PPA used witnesses in support of the pharmacist's good work in the community, their current mental health and the absence of any addiction problems."
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