No impairment for online pharmacy owner

This was a large and complicated online pharmacy case. In what was one of the first substantive online pharmacy cases to reach a hearing, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) were taking an aggressive approach to what was, and still is, a new concept.

Fitness to Practise Defence Barrister and Joint Head of Chambers, Stephen McCaffrey, commented on the case:

“Having failed to properly regulate or guide this evolving area, the GPhC targeted those who entered it in the early stages. In an investigation that took 7 years, our client made early admissions but did not accept the level of involvement or responsibility being ascribed to him.
 
“He decided to fight the case. A strategy was put in place with the end result that the Principal Hearing ended with a finding of no impairment on either limb. In such a serious case, this was a fantastic result.”

Stephen continued:

“Pharmacists in the online space still face real risks, not just with the GPhC, but with the MHRA and CQC.  Caution in seeking proper advice is fundamental.”

Our client, RP, said:

“Stephen McCaffrey is the best.  I have never encountered such a situation, but Stephen stood by me – I remain in his debt.  He never gave up on me and made me believe in myself during the toughest period of my professional life. He is forthright but showed genuine care and concern for me.

“I have no hesitation in stating that you and your team see your clients through thick and thin. You provide an invaluable service and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”