B.C. pharmacy shut down amid investigation into drug distribution allegations

A South Vancouver pharmacy has been temporarily closed as a British Columbia regulator investigates a series of allegations, including the “inappropriate” distribution of narcotics.

The British Columbia College of Pharmacists suspended Health Hub Pharmacy's operating licence on Friday pending the outcome of its investigation.

The registration of director Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu's pharmacist has also been suspended, meaning he cannot practice pharmacy or work as a pharmacy manager anywhere in the province.

In a statement, CPBC registrar and CEO Suzanne Solven called the allegations against the company “extremely serious.”

“Allowing the pharmacy to continue operating would pose a significant risk to patients, the public and pharmacy staff,” Solven said.

The CPBC said it began investigating the Fraser Street pharmacy after receiving concerning reports from Health Canada and the Vancouver Police Department.

“CPBC inspectors conducted an on-site inspection of the pharmacy and identified several alleged violations of legislation and standards of practice,” the college said in a news release.

According to the CPBC, these alleged violations involved “unsecured narcotics, improper preparation of narcotic prescriptions, improper dispensing of narcotics, incomplete medical records, lack of patient consultations, failure to comply with opioid agonist treatment policies, and the inappropriate use of non-registrants in the delivery and administration of opioid agonist treatment medications.”

CTV News called and visited the Health Hub pharmacy on Wednesday but was unable to reach anyone for comment.

Police first raised concerns with the college after stopping the pharmacy's delivery vehicle in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside in January and February.

In a statement, Sergeant Steve Addison said officers encountered a “person engaging in activity consistent with doping on call”.

“The man was seen driving around the Downtown Eastside with various prescription medications, cash, drug paraphernalia and weapons,” Addison told CTV News in an email. “The man claimed he was a pharmacy employee and was making deliveries, but the man’s behaviour was not consistent with what we know to be a legitimate delivery driver.”

However, police said the incidents did not warrant an arrest or criminal investigation.

According to the CPBC, the pharmacy director had already been investigated for “similar issues” in 2020, which resulted in “undertakings to comply with legal requirements in the future.”

Citing the need for privacy and fairness during the investigation process, the college said it would not provide further details unless a “significant additional risk of harm” to the public was identified.