Pharmacist who failed to disclose addiction, couldn’t account for ‘staggering’ amount of drugs fined $100K by disciplinary panel

A Manitoba pharmacist has been fined $100,000 for dispensing an "unaccounted for" amount of drugs while failing to disclose his substance addiction. Glen Pauch, who worked at a Portage la Prairie pharmacy, was fined the maximum of $25,000 and ordered to pay $75,000 for investigation and disciplinary costs. The disciplinary panel found over 39,000 doses were missing while Pauch was consuming drugs and improperly dispensing controlled substances, including opioids and stimulants, to 11 patients.

The drugs were not properly documented or recorded, leaving thousands of doses without oversight. Pauch also admitted to ordering and receiving nearly 25,000 milligrams of hydromorphone powder that were never entered into the pharmacy's system. The disciplinary report highlighted concerns raised by pharmacy staff about Pauch's behavior, including leaving patients waiting in the bathroom and appearing impaired at work.

Pauch failed to disclose his addiction to the college and pleaded guilty to professional misconduct. He surrendered his license on October 27, 2021, and now faces restrictions on his license for five years, including a ban on working as a pharmacy manager or preceptor.