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A pharmacist admitted he had an addiction after he was caught stealing drugs while working at a Dunedin pharmacy.
Simon James Blue’s pharmacy registration has been terminated by the Health Professionals Disciplinary Tribunal after he admitted to and was convicted of stealing a class B controlled drug.
Blue registered as a pharmacist in 2010 and moved to Australia for work in 2013.
While working as a pharmacist in Australia, he was investigated by the Health Care Complaints Commission which determined that he had stolen 6,900 Ritalin tablets from his former employer for his personal use over a period of two years.
Since Blue had released his record during the investigation, no action was taken.
However, early in the investigation, the New Zealand Council of Pharmacy told him that because he did not have an annual practice certificate, he could continue to work as a pharmacist in New Zealand.
Despite that, he held a short-term position as a pharmacy technician at Forbury Pharmacy in Caversham, Dunedin, during the investigation.
His employer agreed that he would only work as a technician since he did not have an annual practice certificate, but Blue did not inform them of the investigation.
During the five days he worked at the Dunedin pharmacy, he completed tasks that were within the scope of the registered pharmacist’s practice, including the handling, preparation and dispensing of medications.
He also stole a pack of 30 Rubifen tablets from the controlled drug safe.
Blue initially denied taking the drugs until he was shown CCTV footage of himself stealing them.
He later admitted to the police that he took the Rubifen for his personal use and that he needed help for his addiction.
“I guess the temptation got the better of me,” he said.
“I know I need help for this addiction and quitting pharmaceuticals is the best option to straighten me out. That is why I am heading towards an engineering background.”
He was charged under the Drug Misuse Act, pleaded guilty, was convicted, and sentenced to 150 hours of community service.
The court determined that the criminal conviction and his admission that he served as a pharmacist for five days without an annual certificate of practice warranted disciplinary action.
His registration as a pharmacist was canceled, he was censored, and he was ordered to pay $ 8,500.
