Following complaints about opioid treatment services at two East Vancouver pharmacies, three pharmacists in Vancouver have been instructed to cease providing patients with “safe supply” medications pending an investigation. The College of Pharmacists in British Columbia implemented interim measures against Charanjit Pal, Jennifer Van Bui, and Mamteshwari Ravnita Latchman this week. Additionally, a fourth pharmacist, Karandeep Singh Chohan, has been suspended.
Chohan, who is set to be suspended on May 27, was the former manager of Fraser Outreach Pharmacy, where Bui and Latchman worked as staff pharmacists. Pal, whose suspension begins on May 12, manages Fraser Neighbourhood Pharmacy nearby.
Health-care providers raised concerns about the handling of Opioid Agonist Treatment at the pharmacies, leading to on-site inspections based on allegations, according to the College. The complaints involved issues such as narcotic inventory control, prescription checking, record-keeping, patient consultations, staff supervision, and ethical standards compliance.
Suzanne Solven, the registrar and CEO of the College, emphasized the seriousness of ensuring safe and ethical pharmacy care in British Columbia. The Inquiry Committee decided on interim actions to protect the public during the ongoing investigation due to the severity of the preliminary evidence and allegations.
Legal Challenge in B.C. Supreme Court
None of the accusations against the pharmacists have been proven, prompting staff pharmacists Bui and Latchman to challenge the interim measures in B.C. Supreme Court. They argue that the pharmacy inspections lacked proper statutory authority.
The concerns surrounding the administration of the safe supply program in British Columbia have led to widespread worry. Changes were made to the program last February to ensure that safe supply users receive medication under pharmacist or health-care provider supervision.
Reports have surfaced regarding pharmacies in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside allegedly providing kickbacks to customers, a practice prohibited by professional standards established by the College in 2013.
Probe into ‘Similar Concerns’
In addition to restricting their involvement in safe supply, Bui, Latchman, and Pal are also prohibited from offering any Opioid Agonist Treatment services. Both Bui and Latchman began working at Fraser Outreach Pharmacy in 2023 and were observed by college inspectors in 2024.
The College disclosed that Chohan and Pal had been investigated for similar issues in the past. Fraser Neighbourhood Pharmacy has been temporarily closed, with a new pharmacy now operating in its place.
The new owner of the pharmacy claims to have been unaware of any allegations when purchasing the business from the previous owners.