Will Pharmacy2U hearing discuss its Xmas delivery disaster?
The GPhC is unable to confirm whether the disciplinary hearings of two Pharmacy2U directors will refer to the company's failure to deliver medication over Christmas
EXCLUSIVE
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) cannot confirm whether the upcoming fitness-to-practise hearings of two Pharmacy2U directors will take into account the company’s failure to deliver medication over Christmas.
Managing director Daniel Lee and commercial director Julian Harrison face disciplinary hearings on 23-25 May, following revelations in April that the company had sold patient data to marketing companies in 2014.
In an unrelated incident, Pharmacy2U announced last December that it was experiencing “unforeseen, operational difficulties” resulting from its move to a new automated warehouse, meaning it was unable to deliver medicines to some patients between December 22 and January 11.
In response to questions from C+D about whether the fitness-to-practice hearings would address the Christmas delivery disaster, the GPhC said it cannot discuss ongoing cases.
Full allegations to be read out
The GPhC can only provide a summary of allegations ahead of hearings, it said yesterday (April 11). The full allegations will be read out on the first day of the public hearing, it added.
Mr Lee’s hearing will focus on the allegation that he “failed to ensure robust procedures were in place on his website to allow patients to provide informed consent to the use of their data”, according to the summary of allegations on the regulator’s website. Mr Harrison’s hearing will assess the allegation that he “authorised the sale of patient data to third parties”.
A Pharmacy2U spokesperson confirmed to C+D last week that both men will attend their hearing.
"When the issue was first brought to our attention, we immediately contacted the GPhC and have been fully cooperating with its investigation since then," the spokesperson added.
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