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A pharmacist who removed three boxes of amitriptyline tablets from the shelf of the pharmacy where she was working has been given a warning by the General Pharmaceutical Council. 

Ilford pharmacist Umber Bathool Naqvi received the warning on October 27 after going before the regulator’s investigating committee (IC) over allegations she had taken three boxes of amitriptyline 10mg tablets “without a valid prescription, payment and/or permission from her employer”.

When the medication was later found in Ms Naqvi’s car, she initially claimed it belonged to her mother but later admitted she had removed it from the pharmacy. 

This conduct “involved dishonesty, notwithstanding she was struggling personally at the time,” found the IC. 

The IC noted Ms Naqvi’s remorse and that she had “highlighted personal challenges that may have influenced her actions” but added: “Such behaviour is unacceptable and contrary to the standards of professional conduct expected of a pharmacy professional.”

It found she had breached GPhC standards around behaving professionally, acting with integrity and being “open and honest when things go wrong”.

To mark “the seriousness of her actions,” the IC warned her that “honesty and integrity are essential elements of a pharmacy professional’s character” and that she “must refrain from any further conduct as it has the potential to undermine public confidence”.

Any repetition of the alleged conduct will likely lead to “more serious regulatory intervention,” she was told. 

The warning will appear on the GPhC register until October 27, 2026.

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