Belfast pharmacist sentenced for selling drugs without prescription

Sentencing Cullinan on Friday, the judge described his offences as a “serious breach of the high degree of trust placed on him as a registered pharmacist”.

He added: “Failing to keep a proper record undermines the trust essential for the operation of the community pharmacy system”.

The judge said the motive was the desire for additional income for the pharmacy “by operating outside the rules”.

As well as the suspended sentence, the judge fined the company £8,000.

Following the sentencing on Friday, Canice Ward, head of the DOH’s medicines regulatory group said the conviction “involved the blatant abuse of the privileged position of a pharmacist by diverting a large quantity of prescription medicines, thereby placing the public at risk.”

She added: “People can be assured that pharmacies in Northern Ireland are subject to regular Departmental inspection and compliance visits to ensure that they continue to operate safely and within the law.”