Northern Ireland

Pharmacist who stole £25,000 worth of medication for drug dealer in return for cocaine is struck off

A total of 32,358 tablets were stolen over 11 months
A total of 32,358 tablets were stolen over 11 months A total of 32,358 tablets were stolen over 11 months

A pharmacist who stole £25,000 worth of prescription medication for a drug dealer in return for cocaine has been struck off the professional register.

The sanction was imposed on Michelle McPeake (33) for supplying more than 32,000 pills taken from her employer in Belfast.

McPeake, from the west of the city, is currently serving a prison sentence after she admitted the offences.

A Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland disciplinary committee has now ruled that she is no longer fit to practice.

Following a hearing in Belfast the panel's chairman, solicitor Conor Heaney, described her misconduct as "deplorable".

In a newly published judgment he said: "The registrant acted in a reprehensible manner. She fundamentally subverted the role of the professional pharmacist."

McPeake was arrested outside a north Belfast chemist in March 2016 as part of a police investigation.

Over an 11-month period she stole a total of 32,358 tablets from her employer, according to an agreed statement of facts.

The thefts involved quantities of pregabalin, dihydrocodeine, diazepam and tramadol.

She gave the medication to a man who was able to supply it on to the general public.

In return McPeake accepted obtaining and consuming cocaine throughout this period while employed as a registered pharmacist.

Earlier this year she pleaded guilty to 13 offences, including theft, possessing and supplying controlled drugs and having a medicinal product with intent to supply.

She was given a two-year sentence at Belfast Crown Court, half to be served in jail and the rest on licence.