The Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) has issued a sanction to a pharmacist in Gleichen after it was discovered that she had allowed unregulated staff to fill and distribute prescriptions to customers.  

The ACP tribunal states that Bernadette Galang admitted to unprofessional conduct at her pharmacy The Medicine Shoppe #416.

It was noted by the board that Galang had a system in place where the pharmacy was open on Fridays and at times there was not a pharmacist present so unregulated staff was "performing pharmacy services and restricted activities."


The ACP explained that those services included:

  •  Preparing prescriptions;
  •  Providing prepared prescriptions to patients;
  •  Accessing and disclosing health information;
  •  Creating and maintaining health records; and
  •  Securing drugs.

In a statement, the ACP wrote, "The hearing tribunal found that through the pharmacist’s actions, the potential for patient harm was created, the integrity of the profession was undermined, and the public's trust in the profession was decreased."

The tribunal issued Galang with a $6,000 fine, in addition to that she was also ordered to pay $10,000 towards the costs of the investigation and subsequent hearing. The tribunal in its statement noted that Galang showed a lack of judgment allowing unregulated staff to provide services and also failing to adequately staff the pharmacy with trained staff.

"It could have put the public at risk due to the lack of appropriate supervision and pharmaceutical knowledge during the hours when a pharmacist was not present. In addition, there was a failure of supervision of the pharmacy’s unregulated employees, including the allowance of carrying out restricted activities, which demonstrated a clear lack of knowledge and/or judgment."

Galang's practice permit has been suspended for three months, while one month is to be served between January 19 and February 18, the remaining two months of the suspension should be served after she has completed the ACP's licensee education program.