Pharmacist Sameed Abdulkarim Damji, registration number 2069571, has been given a warning by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) after being found in possession of cocaine by police while on a night out with friends.

Mr Damji was found in possession of the drug after taking the substance from a friend on a night out in Shoreditch in April 2010, the regulator's fitness to practise committee heard on December 7.

There was "no evidence" that Mr Damji had used cocaine himself, and his offence, for which he received a police caution, was considered by the committee to have arisen from a moment of "ill-judgment", whereby Mr Damji put a wrap of cocaine in his trouser pocket after taking it from a drunken friend before they entered a club. Mr Damji did this after becoming "anxious and impatient" they were not going to get into the club in time and would not be allowed in.

The incident was observed by a passing police car, and shortly afterwards Mr Damji was arrested and cautioned for possession of cocaine.

Mr Damji accepted that what he had done was unwise, and he acknowledged that he had put his career in jeopardy. Mr Damji said he was unaware that any of his old friends were using drugs, and assured the committee that he would not again put himself in a position where he came into contact with persons using illegal substances.

During the hearing, reference was made to the impressive bundle of testimonies Mr Damji had received emphasising his dedication to pharmacy and his honesty.

In summing up, the committee decided it was not necessary to suspend Mr Damji because there was no evidence that he had actually used cocaine, and it accepted Mr Damji's assertion that he had only momentarily been in possession of the drug.

Mr Damji was issued with a warning which will be recorded in the register.