Pharmacist struck off over thefts

File photo / NZ Herald

Hidden cameras fitted to catch chemist stealing drugs including anxiety medicine and morning-after pill.

A "self-medicating" pharmacist who stole prescription drugs has been deregistered.

Leslie Allan Campbell, who earlier admitted four criminal charges of theft in a special relationship, was called before the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal to answer charges brought by the Pharmacy Council.

The tribunal heard another pharmacist raised concerns about Campbell's behaviour with the owners of Amcal Pharmacy in Motueka.

They hired a private investigator and arranged for hidden cameras to be installed where prescription drugs and medicines were stored.

The cameras recorded Campbell taking prescription drugs on days when no prescriptions were recorded for the drugs he was taking.

Among the stolen items were hayfever, anxiety, sleeping and erectile dysfunction medicines. He also stole the morning-after pill. The total value of the drugs taken was $127.31.

Campbell's lawyer, Douglas Brown, said his client took most drugs for himself but the morning-after pill was for a relative.

"The offending was not done for financial gain, but was for the most part by way of self-medicating."

The Pharmacy Council's conduct committee argued that cancelling Campbell's registration was "reasonable and appropriate" because his behaviour showed "a clear departure from professional and ethical standards". The tribunal agreed. Campbell was also censured.

The former owner of the Motueka Amcal Pharmacy, Mike McGrath, said Campbell was dismissed after charges were laid and no patients were at risk.