B.C. pharmacist suspended for 30 days for faking COVID-19 vaccination status at height of pandemic

A B.C. pharmacist has been suspended from the provincial College of Pharmacists for a month for faking his COVID-19 vaccination status at the height of the pandemic.

Aftabahmed Abdullatif Shaikh has admitted to entering COVID-19 vaccinations onto his PharmaNet record on two separate occasions in August 2021, despite never having received the vaccine, according to the college's complaints outcome registry.

The fake records helped Shaikh receive a COVID-19 vaccine passport.

Shaikh also provided information that a colleague was the authorizing pharmacist and had administered the injections, both of which were untrue.

The inquiry committee of the College of Pharmacists of B.C. also found that Shaikh altered his personal information on the pharmacy's software to render his profile inactive and make it more difficult to access his records.

"The false vaccine passport could have put the public at increased risk of harm," wrote the college in its decision.

"The Registrant's actions were self-serving and contrary to the conduct expected of a pharmacy professional."

Shaikh has worked at various pharmacies around B.C.

His suspension began on March 13, 2023, and will continue for 30 days. Pharmacists must be fully registered members of the college to practise in B.C.

Shaikh is also banned from working as a preceptor — the name for a pharmacist who gives personal instruction, training, supervision and mentorship to pharmacy students — for two years.

The college says it will refer the details of the investigation to the Ministry of Health.