Discipline Decisions

Discipline Decisions (April 2022)

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Decisions of the Discipline Committee between September 2021 and March 2022.


Syed Zaidi (OCP #212677)

At a hearing on January 12, 2022, a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Syed Zaidi (the Registrant) with respect to the following incidents:

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  • He engaged in assault on or around December 14, 2015, which is an offence under section 266 of the Criminal Code;
  • He failed to report to the College’s Registrar two criminal charges laid against him, as set out in the information sworn on or about August 27, 2015, as required by s. 5(1) of Ontario Regulation 202/94 under the Pharmacy Act, 1991, within 30 days as required by College By-Laws;
  • He failed to report to the College’s Registrar two criminal charges laid against him on or around March 18, 2018, as required by s. 5(1) of Ontario Regulation 202/94 under the Pharmacy Act, 1991, within 30 days as required by College By-Laws;
  • On or around August 30, 2019, he was found guilty of one count of assault, which is an offence contrary to section 266 of the Criminal Code.

In particular, the Panel found that he:

  • Was found guilty of an offence that is relevant to his suitability to practice;
  • Contravened a term, condition or limitation imposed on his certificate of registration;
  • Engaged in conduct or performed an act relevant to the practice of pharmacy that, having regard to all the circumstances would reasonably be regarded by members as dishonourable and unprofessional.

The Panel imposed an Order, as follows:

1) A reprimand;

2) That the Registrar is directed to impose specified terms, conditions or limitations on the Registrant’s Certificate of Registration, and in particular:

a. The Registrant shall successfully complete, at his own expense and within 12 months of the date of the Order, a course with Gail E. Siskind Consulting Services or another ethics consultant approved by the College, to address the professional misconduct arising from this matter, to be designed by the consultant. The following terms shall apply to the course:

i. The number of sessions shall be at the discretion of the consultant, but shall be no fewer than three;

ii. The manner of attendance at the session(s) (e.g. in person, via Skype, etc.) is a matter to be discussed in advance between the Registrant and the consultant, but shall ultimately be at the discretion of the consultant;

iii. The Registrant shall be responsible for the cost of the course;

iv. Successful completion of the course will include completion of an essay, acceptable to the Registrar, addressing the professional misconduct arising from this matter;

v. The essay shall be at least 1000 words in length. The Registrant shall be responsible for the cost of review by the consultant to assist the Registrar to determine whether the essay is acceptable, up to a maximum of $500; and

vi. The Registrant shall require the consultant to report the results of the course to the College no later than 12 months from the date of this Order.

3) That the Registrar suspend the Registrant’s Certificate of Registration for a period of one month, with the suspension being fully remitted on condition that the Registrant complete the remedial training as specified in paragraph 2. If the remitted portion of the suspension is required to be served by the Registrant because he fails to complete the remedial requirement specified in paragraph 2, that portion of the suspension shall commence on January 13, 2023, and shall continue until February 12, 2023, inclusive. If the time for completing the remedial steps in paragraph two above is extended by the Registrar, the date on which the remitted portion of the suspension shall commence, if required, shall be adjusted accordingly.

4) Costs to the College in the amount of $8,500.00.

In its reprimand, the Panel noted that the Registrant’s misconduct was completely unacceptable.

The Panel observed that practicing pharmacy is a privilege that is granted to those who possess the knowledge, skills, and judgement to practice ethically, professionally, with integrity, and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Panel related that the Registrant failed to do so, and that his misconduct casts serious doubt on his moral fitness to practice pharmacy.

The Panel expressed its view that the Registrant’s admission to all of the allegations is the first step towards his rehabilitation. The Panel indicated that he must learn from this shameful incident, determine to never again engage in this sort of conduct, and commit to never again appear before this Discipline Committee.


David Morkos (OCP #611159)

At a hearing on January 26, 2022, a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against David Morkos, as dispensing pharmacist and/or Designated Manager at Woodgreen Pharmacy at 101 – 69 Queen Street East in Toronto, Ontario (the Pharmacy), and/or as a shareholder of the corporation that owned the Pharmacy, in the period from about March 2019 to September 2020, in that he:

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  • Failed to keep records as required by the Medication Procurement and Inventory Management Policy with respect to the inventory of narcotics and controlled drugs, including with respect to expired and/or unserviceable controlled substances;
  • Failed to maintain the security of narcotics and other controlled drugs, including expired and/or unserviceable substances;
  • Failed to maintain accurate records of purchases, sales and remaining inventory for narcotics and other controlled drugs;
  • Failed to complete inventory reconciliations for narcotics and other controlled drugs at least once every six months, and/or failed to retain complete records of such inventory reconciliations, in 2018, 2019 and/or 2020; and/or
  • Failed to make timely reports of losses of narcotics and other controlled drugs to Health Canada with respect to reconciliations conducted in 2018, 2019, and/or 2020.

In particular, the Panel found that the Registrant:

  • Failed to maintain a standard of practice of the profession;
  • Failed to keep records as required with respect to his patients or practice;
  • Contravened a federal or provincial law or municipal by-law with respect to the distribution, sale or dispensing of any drug or mixture of drugs, including:
    • the Narcotic Control Regulations, sections 40, 42, and/or 43 under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, S.C. 1996, c 19, and/or
    • the Food and Drug Regulations, sections G.03.010, G.03.012, and/or G.03.013 under the Food and Drug Act, R.S.C. 1985 c.F-27, and/or
    • ss. 72 and 75 of the Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulation;
  • Engaged in conduct or performed an act relevant to the practice of pharmacy that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as unprofessional.

The Panel imposed an Order, as follows:

1) A reprimand;

2) That the Registrar is directed to impose specified terms, conditions or limitations on the Registrant’s Certificate of Registration as follows:

a. That the Registrant shall successfully complete, at his own expense and within twelve (12) months of the date of this Order, the ‘Fundamentals of Addiction’ course offered through Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (‘CAMH’); and

b. The Registrant shall successfully complete, at his own expense and within twelve (12) months of the date of the Order, a course with Gail E. Siskind Consulting Services or another suitable ethics consultant as approved by the College in its sole and absolute discretion, to address the professional misconduct arising from this matter, to be designed by the consultant. The following terms shall apply to the course:

i. The number of sessions shall be at the discretion of the consultant, but shall be no fewer than three;

ii. The manner of attendance at the session(s) (e.g. in person, via Skype, etc.) is a matter to be discussed in advance between the Registrant and the consultant, but shall ultimately be at the discretion of the consultant;

iii. The Registrant shall be responsible for the cost of the course;

iv. Successful completion of the course will include completion of an essay, in a form acceptable to the Registrar, addressing the professional misconduct arising from this matter;

v. The essay shall be at least 1000 words in length. The Registrant shall be responsible for the cost of review by the consultant to assist the Registrar to determine whether the essay is acceptable, up to a maximum of $500 exclusive of HST; and

vi. The Registrant shall require the consultant to report the results of the course to the College in writing and at the Registrant’s own expense, no later than 12 months from the date of this Order; and

c. The Registrant shall successfully complete, at his own expense, a mentorship program regarding the misconduct arising from this matter. The mentorship program shall include the following terms:

i. The Registrant shall retain, at his own expense, a mentor acceptable to the College, within 6 (six) months of the date of this Order;

ii. The Registrant shall meet at least five (5) times with the mentor, for the purpose of reviewing the Registrant’s practice with respect to the role and responsibilities of a Designated Manager arising from this matter, including but not limited to: management of narcotic and controlled inventory; physical counts and reconciliations of all narcotics, controlled drugs and targeted substances; record-keeping; and security of narcotic and controlled drugs;

iii. The Registrant shall provide the mentor with the following documents related to this proceeding, in advance of the mentorship:

1. A copy of the Notice of Hearing;

2. a copy of the Agreed Statement of Facts;

3. a copy of this Joint Submission as to Penalty and Costs; and

4. Copy of the Decision and Reasons of the Discipline Panel, when available;

iv. The Registrant shall develop a learning plan with the mentor to comprehensively address the remediation required;

v. The Registrant shall demonstrate to the mentor that he has successfully achieved all of the goals of the learning plan;

vi. The Registrant shall require the mentor to report the results of the Mentorship Program to the College, in writing and at the Registrant’s own expense, no later than twelve (12) months from the date of this Order. Such report shall include, but is not limited to:

1. the learning plan; and

2. the mentor’s assessment of the Registrant’s success in meeting the goals of the learning plan.

d. The Registrant shall be prohibited from acting as a Designated Manager or a narcotic signer at any pharmacy for a period of two (2) years from the date of this Order, or until the successful completion of the remediation described in paragraphs 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c), above, whichever is longer; and

e. The Registrant’s practice, is to be subject to Compliance Audit Reviews (CARs) by the College. The following terms shall apply to the CARs:

i. the College will be entitled to conduct any CAR for a period of two (2) years beginning on the date on which the Registrant commences acting as a Designated Manager following the end of the prohibition set out in paragraph 2(d) (“CARs Period”);

ii. if the Registrant ceases to be a Designated Manager at any time within the two (2) years specified in subparagraph (i) above, such that the College is unable to conduct any CARs, then the CARs Period shall be paused and shall resume on the date on which the Registrant again commences acting as a Designed Manager, and in such circumstances:

1. the Registrant shall notify the College, in writing, if he is no longer a Designated Manager in a pharmacy at any point(s) during any times that the CARs Period remains active; and

2. if the CARs Period is paused at any time(s), the Registrant shall notify the College, in writing, when he again commences acting as a Designated manager, at which point the CARs Period shall resume and shall continue until a total period of two (2) years has been achieved;

iii. the CARs will be conducted by means of attendances by a representative of the College at any pharmacy or pharmacy at which the Registrant’s is acting as a Designated Manager at such times as the College may determine;

iv. during any CAR, the College representative will be entitled to review and examine the Registrant’s practice, with respect to the responsibilities involved in ensuring that: narcotics, controlled drugs and targeted substances (“N/C/TS”) are kept secure; proper reconciliations of N/C/TS are conducted at least every six (6) months; reliable inventory listings of N/C/TS are kept updated and include those that are expired and unserviceable; any unexplained losses with respect to N/C/TS are reported to Health Canada promptly;

v. the CARs are in addition to any routine inspections conducted by the College pursuant to the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.4., s. 148, and are not a substitute for such inspections;

vi. the Registrant shall fully cooperate with the College representative during the CARs; and

vii. the Registrant shall pay to the College in respect of such CAR the amount of $1,000.00 per CAR, immediately after each CAR is completed, with the total amount to be paid by the Registrant not to exceed $3,000, regardless of the number of CARs and/or attendances conducted by the College.

f. For a period of two (2) years commencing on the date on which the Registrant commences acting as a Designated Manager following the end of the prohibition set out in paragraph 2(d) (the “Reconciliation Period”), he shall complete and provide to the College four (4) comprehensive inventory reconciliations for all narcotics, controlled drugs and targeted substances in the pharmacy at which he is the Designated Manager, on the following terms:

i. All of the reconciliations must be acceptable to the College;

ii. The first inventory reconciliation shall be completed and submitted to the College no later than six (6) months from the date on which the Registrant commences acting as a Designated Manager;

iii. The second inventory reconciliation shall be completed and submitted to the College six (6) months after the first;

iv. Provision of the remaining reconciliations shall continue in this manner, every six (6) months, until all four (4) inventory reconciliations have been provided, with each of the four inventory reconciliations to cover the six-month period preceding each inventory reconciliation;

v. if the Registrant ceases to be a Designated Manager at any time within the Reconciliation Period, the Reconciliation Period shall be paused and shall resume on the date on which the Registrant again commences acting as a Designed Manager, and in such circumstances:

1. the Registrant shall notify the College, in writing, if he is no longer a Designated Manager in a pharmacy at any point(s) during any times that the Reconciliation Period remains active; and

2. if the Reconciliation Period is paused at any time(s), the Registrant shall notify the College, in writing, when he again commences acting as a Designated Manager, at which point the Reconciliation Period shall resume and shall continue until a total period of two (2) years has been achieved.

3) That the Registrar suspend the Registrant’s Certificate of Registration for a period of three (3) months with one (1) month of the suspension to be remitted on condition that the Registrant successfully complete the remedial training as specified in paragraphs 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c), above. The suspension shall commence on January 26, 2022, and shall continue until March 25, 2022, inclusive. If the remitted portion of the suspension is required to be served by the Registrant because he fails to complete the remedial requirement specified in paragraph two, that portion of the suspension shall commence on January 27, 2023, and shall continue until February 26, 2023, inclusive. If the time for completing the remedial steps in paragraphs 2(a), 2(b), and/or 2(c) is extended by the Registrar, the date on which the remitted portion of the suspension shall commence, if required, shall be adjusted accordingly.

4) Costs to the College in the amount of $10,000.00.

In its reprimand, the Panel noted that, through his actions, the Registrant failed in his obligations as a pharmacist and a Designated Manager. He breached the standards of practice of the profession and pharmacy legislation.

The Panel observed that the role of the Designated Manager is one of heavy responsibility. As the Designated Manager, the Registrant knows or should have known that what he was doing was wrong. The Panel found his response to the Health Canada inspection troubling and unprofessional.

The Panel indicated that the components of the Order are intended to provide the Registrant with an opportunity to rehabilitate his conduct with respect to his pharmacy practice. The Order is essential to protect the public, and to deter the Registrant from engaging in this type of conduct in the future.

The Panel expressed its view that the Registrant will not appear again before a panel of the Discipline Committee of the Ontario College of Pharmacists.


Sameh Sadek (OCP #610938)

Following a hearing on September 28, 2021, a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Sameh Sadek in a decision dated November 3, 2021, in that:

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  • He failed to report to the Registrar the details of being charged on or about February 22, 2017 with the offence of refusing to comply with a demand for a breath sample contrary to s. 254(5) of the Criminal Code of Canada;
  • He failed to report to the Registrar the details of being charged on or about March 27, 2018 with the offence of assaulting a peace officer contrary to s. 270(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada;
  • On or about March 8, 2018, he declared to the College as part of his annual renewal process that he was not currently charged with a criminal offence or any other offence in Ontario or any other jurisdiction, when at that time he was charged with the offence of refusing to comply with a demand for a breath sample contrary to s. 254(5) of the Criminal Code of Canada;
  • Between about June 1, 2017 and February 20, 2018, he submitted (or permitted, consented to or approved, expressly or impliedly, the submission of) claims, charges and/or accounts for drugs that were not dispensed, and/or that were for invalid prescriptions, with respect to certain identified drugs;
  • On or about April 27, 2018 and in the period following that date, he closed the Pharmacy without complying with the requirements for closing a Pharmacy, and in particular:
    • he failed to remove all signs and symbols relating to the practice of pharmacy from within and outside the premises;
    • he failed to remove and dispose of all drugs according to law;
    • he failed to submit to the Registrar a Pharmacy Closing Statement;
    • he failed to deliver prescription records;
    • he failed to ensure the Pharmacy’s records were maintained in a secure manner and for the required period of time;
  • On or about June 13, 2018, July 4, 2018, and July 19, 2018, he failed to reply within a reasonable time to requests from the College relating to the closure of the Pharmacy.

In particular, the Panel found that he:

  • Contravened a term, condition or limitation on his certificate of registration;
  • Failed to maintain a standard of practice of the profession;
  • Falsified a record relating to his practice or a person’s health record;
  • Signed or issued, in his professional capacity, a document that he knew or ought to have known contained a false or misleading statement;
  • Submitted an account or charge for services or products that he knew or ought to have known contained a false or misleading statement;
  • Contravened the Pharmacy Act, the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, the Narcotic Safety and Awareness Act, 2010, the Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act or the Ontario Drug Benefit Act or the regulations under those acts, and in particular:
    • s. 141 and s. 157(2) of the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, RSO 1990, c. H.4;
    • ss. 20(2) and 21 of O. Reg. 264/16 made under the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, RSO 1990, c. H.4;
  • Failed to reply within a reasonable time to a written or electronic inquiry or request from the College;
  • Engaged in conduct or performed an act relevant to the practice of pharmacy that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members of the profession as disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional.

Submissions with respect to the order to be imposed were heard on February 15, 2022. On the same date, the Panel imposed an Order, as follows:

1) A reprimand in writing;

2) Directing the Registrar to revoke the Certificate of Registration issued to Mr. Sadek;

3) That Mr. Sadek pay a fine in the amount of $35,000, payable to the Minister of Finance; and

4) Costs to the College in the amount of $80,509.20.

In its reprimand, the Panel noted that Mr. Sadek committed several acts of professional misconduct and expressed its view that his conduct is appalling and unacceptable in the eyes of the public and the profession.

The Panel pointed out that Mr. Sadek has demonstrated a serious and persistent disregard for his professional obligations. His conduct involved significant elements of moral failing and dishonesty. The nature and seriousness of his misconduct casts doubt on his moral fitness and ability to discharge the duties and obligations the public expects of a member of this College.

The Panel indicated that Mr. Sadek ought to have known that the conduct that he engaged in was totally unacceptable. There is no justifiable reason why he engaged in such reprehensible behaviour. He has brought shame to himself and to the profession of pharmacy.

Lastly, the Panel observed that Mr. Sadek demonstrated a disregard for the disciplinary process when he did not appear before the Panel.

The Panel expressed its view that the revocation of Mr. Sadek’s Certificate of Registration is an appropriate penalty under the circumstances.


Salvatore Forcucci (OCP #607940)

Following a hearing held on February 11 to 14, 2020, February 20, 2020, and May 11, 2020, a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Salvatore Forcucci in a decision dated January 12, 2021, in that he:

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  • Provided benzodiazepines to [Name] without a prescription, or without evidence of a prescription, on one occasion;
  • Interfered with [Name]’s medication management by:
    • On one occasion, providing [Name] with medication:
      • that had been prescribed to another individual; and/or
      • for which he did not have evidence of a prescription; and/or
      • that was contrary to the advice provided by [Name]’s other health care providers
  • Made disparaging and inappropriate comments to [Name], a patient or former patient about pharmacy students employed by the Pharmacy.

In particular, the Panel found that he:

  • Contravened a federal law with respect to the distribution, purchase, sale or dispensing or prescribing of any drug, and in particular, s. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, SC 1996, s 19, and s. 51 of the Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations, SOR/2000-217;
  • Engaged in conduct relevant to the practice of pharmacy that, having regard to all of the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members of the profession as dishonourable and unprofessional.

Following submissions with respect to the order to be made were heard on July 7, 2021, a Panel of the Discipline Committee issued its decision with respect to order February 22, 2022.

The Panel imposed an Order, as follows:

1) A reprimand;

2) That the Registrar be directed to suspend the Member’s Certificate of Registration for a period of one month, with the suspension commencing on the date that this Order becomes final;

3) That the Registrar be directed to impose specified terms, conditions or limitations on the Member’s Certificate of Registration, as follows:

a. That the Member successfully complete, with an unconditional pass at his own expense within twelve (12) months from the date that this Order becomes final, a course with Gail E. Siskind, Consulting Services, or another professional ethics consultant acceptable to the College. The course shall be designed by the ethics consultant for the purpose of addressing the professional misconduct issues arising in this case. The following terms shall apply to the course:

i. The number of sessions shall be at the discretion of the consultant, but shall be no fewer than three (3);

ii. The manner of attendance at the sessions (e.g. in person, via Skype, etc.) is a matter to be discussed in advance between the Member and the consultant, but ultimately shall be at the discretion of the consultant;

iii. The Member shall provide to the consultant, in advance of the course, a copy of the Panel’s Reasons for Decisions in this case;

iv. Successful completion of the course shall include completion of an essay acceptable to the consultant that addresses the professional misconduct issues arising in this case. The essay shall be at least 1,000 words in length;

v. The Member shall direct the consultant to report to the College, no later than twelve (12) months from the date that this Order becomes final, that the Member completed the ethics course and the essay to the satisfaction of the consultant;

4) Costs to the College in the amount of $15,000.00.

The reprimand in this matter was administered on April 5, 2022.

In its reprimand, the Panel noted that Mr. Forcucci provided benzodiazepines without a prescription or without the evidence of a prescription, interfered with [Name’s] medication regimen, and made disparaging and inappropriate comments to [Name] about pharmacy students employed by the Pharmacy.

The Panel observed that Mr. Forcucci put a member of the public at risk and his conduct could have resulted in harm to [Name].

The Panel also pointed out that Mr. Forcucci’s conduct towards the pharmacy students under his supervision fell short of the expectations of a pharmacy preceptor and mentor. Disparaging his students constituted a moral failing on his part.

The Panel indicated that pharmacy is a noble profession. Pharmacists are expected to act ethically and with integrity, and Mr. Forcucci failed to do so. The Panel expressed its expectation that Mr. Forcucci, will learn from this experience and will never again appear before this Discipline Committee.


Rami Abdelmalek (OCP #604689)

At a hearing on March 2, 2022, a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Rami Abdelmalek (the “Registrant”) with respect to two referrals from the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee, as follows:

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Referral 1:

The Panel found that the Registrant, in his professional capacity as the co-owner of Westboro Pharmasave in Ottawa, Ontario, committed professional misconduct in that he:

  • Permitted the submission of claims with excessive markups for one or more of certain identified drugs and/or products from in or about November 1, 2016 to in or about April 30, 2018;
  • Permitted the submission of claims to multiple plans where one or more of those plans was not obligated to pay the claim (or the full amount of the claim) for one or more of certain identified drugs and/or products from in or about November 1, 2016 to in or about April 30, 2018; and/or
  • Permitted the submission of claims for dispensing fees for compliance packages at more frequent intervals than the compliance packages were being dispensed for one or more patients from in or about May 1, 2018 to in or about April 24, 2019.

In particular, the Panel found that he:

  • Failed to maintain a standard of practice of the profession;
  • Failed to ensure that records were kept as required;
  • Permitted the falsification of a record relating to a person’s health record;
  • Permitted the signing or issuance of a document he ought to have known contained a false or misleading statement;
  • Permitted the submission of an account or charge for services and products that he ought to have known was false or misleading;
  • Permitted the charging of a fee or amount that was excessive in relation to the service or product provided;
  • Engaged in conduct or performed an act relevant to the practice of pharmacy that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional.

Referral 2:

The Panel found that the Registrant, in response to an investigation by the Ontario College of Pharmacists (the “College”) into his conduct at Westboro Pharmasave in Ottawa, Ontario committed professional misconduct, in that he:

  • Provided falsified employment records and/or other pharmacy records to the College;
  • Provided false and/or misleading information to the College in written submissions, emails, and/or other correspondence; and/or
  • Refused to provide relevant documents to College investigators upon request.

In particular, the Panel found that he:

  • Contravened the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, as amended, and in particular:
    • Subsections 76(3) and 76(3.1) of the Health Professions Procedural Code to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991;
  • Engaged in conduct or performed an act relevant to the practice of pharmacy that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional.

The Panel imposed an Order, as follows:

1. A reprimand;

2. Directing the Registrar to suspend the Registrant’s certificate of registration for a period of 13 months with one month to be remitted on the condition that the Registrant completes the remedial training specified in subparagraph 3(a) within 12 months of the date of the Order. The suspension shall commence on March 2, 2022 and shall continue without interruption until March 1, 2023, inclusive. If the remitted portion of the suspension is required to be served by the Registrant because he fails to complete the remedial requirement specified in subparagraph 3(a), that portion of the suspension shall commence on March 2, 2023 and continue until April 1, 2023, inclusive.

3. Directing the Registrar to impose specified terms, conditions or limitations on the Registrant’s certificate of registration, including:

a. The Registrant must successfully complete, with an unconditional pass, at his own expense and within 12 months of the date of this Order, the ProBE Program on professional/problem-based ethics for health care professionals offered by the Centre for Personalized Education for Physicians;

b. For a period of two (2) years from the date of this Order, the Registrant shall be prohibited from having any proprietary interest in a pharmacy of any kind and/or receiving remuneration for his work as a pharmacist other than remuneration on an hourly or weekly basis;

c. For a period of three (3) years from the date of this Order, the Registrant shall be prohibited from acting as a Designated Manager in any pharmacy;

d. For a period of three (3) years from the date of this Order, the Registrant shall be required to notify the College in writing of the names(s), address(s) and telephone numbers(s) of all employer(s) within fourteen (14) days of commencing employment in a pharmacy;

e. For a period of three (3) years from the date of this Order, the Registrant shall provide his pharmacy employer with a copy of the Discipline Committee Panel’s decision in this matter and its Order; and

f. For a period of three (3) years from the date of this Order, the Registrant shall only engage in the practice of pharmacy for an employer who agrees to write to the College within fourteen (14) days of the Registrant commencing employment, confirming that it has received a copy of the required documents identified in subparagraph 3(e), and confirming the nature of the Registrant’s remuneration.

4) Costs to the College in the amount of $17,500.00.

In its reprimand, the Panel noted that the profession of pharmacy is a noble one with the duty of serving and protecting the public interest. Pharmacists are held in high regard. By his actions, the Registrant has damaged the reputation of the profession, as well as his own reputation.

The Panel indicated that it was especially concerned because the Registrant initially tried to deflect blame with the creation of a false employee record and continued to obstruct the investigation by refusing to provide relevant documents.

The Panel expressed its expectation that the Registrant will learn from this shameful and deliberate behaviour, and that he will take this opportunity to change his behaviour going forward and will never again have to appear before this Discipline Committee.


Maged Hanna (OCP #215337)

At a hearing on March 29, 2022, a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Maged Hanna (the “Registrant”) in that he:

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a. Submitted (or permitted, consented to or approved, expressly or by implication, the submissions of) an account or charge for services or products that he knew and/or ought to have known was false or misleading with respect to:

i. one or more of certain identified drugs and/or; and/or,

ii. one or more of certain identified claims to the Ontario Drug Benefit Program; and/or,

b. Falsified a record relating to his patients and/or his practice with respect to:

i. one or more of certain identified drugs and/or products; and/or,

c. Signed or issued, in his professional capacity, a document he knew and/or ought to have known contained a false and misleading statement with respect to:

i. one or more of certain identified drugs and/or products; and/or,

ii. one or more of certain identified claims to the Ontario Drug Benefit Program; and/or,

d. Failed to keep records as required respecting his patients and/or his practice with respect to:

i. one or more of certain identified drugs and/or products; and/or,

e. Contravened a federal or provincial law or municipal by-law with respect to the distribution, sale or dispensing of any drug or mixture of drugs with respect to:

i. one or more of certain identified drugs and/or products; and/or

ii. one or more of certain identified claims to the Ontario Drug Benefit Program.

In particular, the Panel found that he:

  • Failed to maintain a standard of practice of the profession;
  • Failed to keep records as required respecting his patients and/or his practice;
  • Falsified a record relating to his patients and/or his practice;
  • Signed or issued, in his professional capacity, a document that he knew and/or ought to have known contained a false or misleading statement;
  • Submitted (or permitted, consented to or approved, expressly or by implication, the submissions of) an account or charge for services or products that he knew and/or ought to have known was false or misleading;
  • Contravened a federal or provincial law or municipal by-law with respect to the distribution, sale or dispensing of any drug or mixture of drugs, and in particular: section 15 of the Ontario Drug Benefit Act;
  • Engaged in conduct or performed an act relevant to the practice of pharmacy that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional.

The Panel imposed an Order, as follows:

1. A reprimand;

2. Directing the Registrar to suspend the Registrant’s certificate of registration for a period of 14 months, with 1 month to be remitted on the condition that the Registrant successfully completes the remedial training as specified in paragraphs 3(a) and (b) below. The suspension shall commence on March 29, 2022 and shall continue without interruption until April 28, 2023, inclusive.

(a) If the remitted portion of the suspension is required to be served by the Registrant because he fails to complete the remedial requirement specified in paragraphs 3(a) and/or 3(b), that portion of the suspension shall commence on April 29, 2023, and shall continue until May 28, 2023, inclusive. If the time for completing the remedial steps in paragraphs 3(a) and/or 3(b) is extended by the Registrar, the date on which the remitted portion of the suspension shall commence, if required, shall be adjusted accordingly;

3. Directing the Registrar to impose specified terms, conditions, or limitations on the Registrant’s certificate of registration, including:

a. The Registrant shall successfully complete, with an unconditional pass, at his own expense and within 12 months of the date of this Order, the ProBE Program on professional/problem-based ethics for health care professionals offered by the Centre for Personalized Education for Physicians;

b. The Registrant shall successfully complete the Designated Manager (DM) eLeaming Module offered by the College within 12 months of the date of this Order;

c. For a period of three (3) years from the date of this Order, the Registrant shall be prohibited from acting as a Designated Manager in any pharmacy;

d. For a period of three (3) years from the date of this Order, the Registrant shall be prohibited from having any proprietary interest in a pharmacy;

e. For a period of three (3) years commencing on the date of this Order:

i. the Registrant shall notify the College in writing of any employment in a pharmacy, which notification shall include the name and address of the employer and the date on which he began or is to begin employment, within seven (7) days of commencing such employment;

ii. The Registrant shall only work for an employer in a pharmacy who provides confirmation in writing from the Designated Manager of the pharmacy to the College, within seven (7) days of him commencing employment at the pharmacy, that the Designated Manager received and reviewed a copy of the panel’s decision and reasons in this matter before he commenced employment;

iii. the terms in clauses 3(e)(i) and (ii) shall apply even if the Registrant’s employment in the pharmacy is as a relief pharmacist.

4. Costs to the College in the amount of $17,500.00.

In its reprimand, the Panel noted that practising pharmacy is a privilege, not a right, which carries significant obligations for patients, the profession, and oneself. The Registrant’s professional misconduct erodes public trust in the profession; it casts a shadow over his suitability to practise.

The Panel observed that the Registrant was the Pharmacy’s designated manager from 2003 until 2020. He was a director and a shareholder of the corporation that owned the Pharmacy when the College’s investigation revealed approximately $140,000 in unsubstantiated billings, including ODB billings. The Panel expressed its view that, as an experienced, longstanding College Registrant, he should have known better.

The Panel indicated that practising pharmacy is a privilege granted to those who posses the knowledge, skill, and judgement to practice safely, ethically, and professionally, which the Registrant failed to do. His prolonged dishonest conduct casts serious doubt on his moral fitness to practise the profession.

The Panel related that the Registrant must change his ways and learn from this shameful experience.

The full text of these decisions will be available at www.canlii.org.

CanLii is a non-profit organization managed by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. CanLii’s goal is to make Canadian law accessible for free on the Internet.


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