May 2024
Facts: HK was terminated by her employer after she admitted to stealing medications from customers’ prescription bottles while filling prescriptions for her employer. The employer investigated the allegations of theft and found that over 300 pills were unaccounted for during HK’s employment.
Outcome: HK hired the firm after she received a complaint and notice of informal conference from the Board. In preparation for the conference the firm provided a written response and evidence regarding KH’s mental health at the time of the allegations. The evidence provided showed that KH was suffering from depression and suicidal ideations. Further, at the conference, the firm argued in mitigation that since the allegations HK had ceased all drug use, tested negative for over a year, entered into and completed an in-patient and out-patient program and was currently seeing a physiatrist and a therapist. Her mental health was under control and she was not the same person she was during the time of the allegations.
After review of the evidence and the arguments provided during the conference the Board allowed HK to keep her license without suspension or revocation. They issued a private order, not viewable to the public that simply required her to complete the terms of her out-patient program and remain supervised while employed as a pharmacist. They also allowed her to remain at her position of pharmacist in charge with her current employer.
