Professional Conduct, Ethics, and Disciplinary Actions
Professional-conduct questions test grounds for discipline, the complaint process, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.
Grounds and process
- The Board may deny, suspend, revoke, restrict, fine, or reprimand for fraud, deception, incompetence, impairment, controlled-substance violations, unprofessional conduct, or practicing beyond scope.
- LARA investigates complaints; the licensee receives notice and an opportunity for a hearing. Interim action may occur when public safety requires it.
- Discipline is reported to national databases and may affect DEA registration and employment.
Ethical duties
- Protect patient confidentiality; disclose only as permitted by law.
- Avoid conflicts of interest, kickbacks, and inducements that violate anti-kickback rules.
- Do not self-prescribe or dispense to family without legal authority; do not falsify records or backdate prescriptions.
- Report suspected diversion or impairment through the proper channel.
Worked example
A pharmacist notices a colleague removing oxycodone without documentation. Confronting the colleague privately is not enough. Secure the stock, document observations, and report to the PIC and LARA or DEA as required. Do not alter inventory records to hide the loss.
Traps
- Assuming a single error automatically requires discipline; the Board assesses seriousness and pattern.
- Breaching confidentiality during an investigation.
- Backdating a prescription to cover a delay.
- Ignoring a duty to report diversion.