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A pharmacist who falsely claimed all the eligibility criteria for the 2021-2022 pharmacy quality scheme (PQS) had been met on behalf of the pharmacy chain where he worked has been given a warning by the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Tajinder Singh Matharoo was warned by the regulator’s investigating committee last week after it heard he lodged the PQS claim between October 2021 and November 2022 having insisted all eligibility criteria had been met including the necessary training.

He also told a meeting of the company’s head office management team on November 17, 2022 that he had left evidence backing up his claim at home.

The GPhC committee found he “had knowingly been dishonest and lacked integrity insofar as he was aware that he had not met the eligibility criteria when making the PQS claim and he was aware that the certificates were not at his home as he had not completed the required training”.

The committee concluded Matharoo breached five GPhC standards requiring pharmacy professionals to communicate effectively, use their professional judgement, behave in a professional manner, speak up when they have concerns or when things go wrong and demonstrate leadership.

“Mr Matharoo is warned of the need to ensure that even in times where workloads and pressure increase, he upholds the high standards of honesty and integrity expected of registered pharmacy professionals,” the committee said.

“Mr Matharoo is warned that when circumstances arise where he is of the view that meeting those levels is becoming difficult due to any factors such as additional workloads then he must raise concerns and seek support immediately.”

The committee warned him that any repeat of his offence “or similar conduct” could result in “more serious regulatory intervention”. The warning will be published on the register for 12 months.