Facing Professional Allegations? Your Pharmacy License Can Be Suspended Before You Ever See a Courtroom
A Washington pharmacist has been suspended from practice after being accused of professional misconduct.
Sandra Lee Symington Bang has been accused of falsifying prescriptions in order to obtain medications for personal use. In response to these allegations, the state’s Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission has suspended Ms. Bang’s license, pending further legal action.
These are obviously serious charges, so the suspension itself isn’t so surprising to most medical professionals; it’s that the suspension seems to have occurred before Ms. Bang had been tried in court. The thing is, that’s actually a common occurrence in professional license defense. Governing boards are often notified of potential allegations before criminal charges are filed, sometimes even before a full investigation has been completed. If the allegations are serious enough, the Board or Commission may decide they warrant immediate action, choosing to err on the side of caution until the full story can be sorted out.
And that kind of “maybe wrongdoing” can be hard to defend.
The LLF National Law Firm can help you navigate the disciplinary process and safeguard your professional reputation. Our Professional License Defense team has the knowledge and experience needed to present your case and advocate for your rights at any stage of the process. We have worked with pharmacists and other medical professionals across the country, and we can help you, too. Contact the LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 to talk about your options. You can also use our convenient online form to discuss your case and schedule a consultation.
How Can My Pharmacy Board Pursue Disciplinary Action Before Criminal Charges Are Filed?
The thing to remember is that law enforcement must have substantial levels of proof to bring criminal charges; pursuing professional disciplinary actions isn’t nearly as complex. That’s because most pharmacy boards have broad authority under state laws, and a “violation” can often be defined as “unprofessional behavior” or “inappropriate conduct” as determined by your Board.
This vague language gives them quite a bit of leeway when it comes to deciding whether to pursue disciplinary action or not, and if they decide your behavior does not meet the high standards you’re expected to uphold, you could find your pharmacist license at risk.
Some examples of behavior that could jeopardize your professional standing as a pharmacist include:
- Maintaining false or incorrect records
- Improperly handling or dispensing controlled substances
- Theft of prescription medications
- Violating patient confidentiality
- Failing to report adverse drug effects
- Failing to inform patients of potential side effects
- Making errors that cause harm to a patient
- Deceptive billing
- Substance abuse
- Criminal activity
- Disrupting the workplace
- Demonstrating a lack of integrity
This isn’t an all-inclusive list, of course, and it’s important to note that while state laws may be similar, they can (and do) vary. It’s also important to understand that even the best intentions can sometimes result in an incident that causes your pharmacist’s license to come under scrutiny.
How you respond to these moments can be the difference between a suspension or revocation and continuing your practice as a licensed pharmacist.
Don’t Wait—Call the LLF National Law Firm Today
Having an experienced Professional License Defense Team can help you face accusations and allegations of misconduct with confidence. The LLF National Law Firm has been helping pharmacists and other professionals defend their careers for many years, and we’re ready to go to work for you. Call us today at 888-535-3686 to talk about your options. You can also use our convenient online form to discuss your case and schedule a consultation.