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The Health Care Complaints Commission recently prosecuted the pharmacist Victoria Lau before the Pharmacy Tribunal of NSW. The prosecution related to Ms Lau’s misappropriation and self-administration of anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines and other medication.
The Commission argued that Ms Lau had stolen, diverted and self administered anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines and other medications from pharmacies where she had worked. She had created false prescriptions and used deceptive means to obtain the medication. She also was accused of providing false and misleading information to the Commission; misleading her employer and misleading an officer of the Pharmaceutical Services Branch of the Department of Health who investigated her conduct. The Commission further alleged that Ms Lau suffers from an impairment that makes her unfit to work as a pharmacists.
Ms Lau admitted most of the allegations brought against her and conceded that her conduct constituted unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct, and that she suffered from impairment.
In its decision of 15 December 2011, the Pharmacy Tribunal found Ms Lau guilty of professional misconduct. The Tribunal was also satisfied that Ms Lau is not a suitable person to hold registration as a pharmacist. Ms Lau who had been suspended since July 2011, was deregistered for a minimum period of 18 months from the date of the Tribunal’s decision.
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The full decision will be available at AUSTLII.
For further information, contact the Executive Officer of the Health Care Complaints Commission on 9219 7444 or send an email to media@hccc.nsw.gov.au.
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