A pharmacist accused of failing to supervise an in
A pharmacist accused of failing to supervise an inexperienced chemist who barely spoke English claimed today (Tues) he seemed ‘comfortable’ in his job.
Maysa Jibreel Al-Natsheh was supposed to manage Iranian-born Farrokh Zahmatkesh but spent months out of the country when she should have been keeping an eye on his work.
Al-Natsheh, 35, also failed to give proper training to Mr Zahmatkesh – who had worked in Italy and had no experience in the field of community pharmacies in the UK.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society heard that his English was so poor he got a friend to arrange an interview at the pharmacy – who then turned up as an interpreter.
After getting the job Mr Zahmatkesh issued the wrong drugs to a patient who was later admitted to hospital with chest pain.
At the time Al-Natsheh, who qualified in July 1996, was with her electronic engineer husband who was working in Jordan on a three year contract.
But she returned every two to three months from abroad to check in on the running of the chemists.
Mr Zahmatkesh was hired by disgraced pharmacist Errol Ganpatsingh who had been struck off the register for a series of blunders.
Al-Natsheh and Ganpatsingh were fellow directors of Preston Park Chemists at (88-90) Beaconsfield Road and (209) Preston Road, Brighton.
Al-Natsheh, a mother of three, was the superintendent pharmacist but when away Ganpatsingh had the responsibility of hiring staff.
But today she insisted she had kept in control of the chemists by telephone calls and emails in case staff needed her.
She also said there were proper training manuals available to keep employees working to the right procedures.
The pharmacist said she had been made superintendent in April 2002 by Ganpatsingh but then her husband was given his job in the Middle East four months later.
She told the panel: ‘I knew the superintendent would not need to be there at all times.
I thought providing I visited every two to three months that would be satisfactory.
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Al-Natsheh added: ‘I ensured a comprehensive training manual was there for staff members to work through.
‘All my contact details were easily accessible at all the pharmacies.
‘Should any members of staff have any queries I left my business care with contact details on the board.
‘I also left my details on the computer system.
I was in regular telephone contact with both pharmacies.
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Al-Natsheh said she thought she was following the proper guidelines while abroad.
She told the panel: ‘I would not have done so had I any idea it would place my professional standing at risk.
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Referring to Mr Zahmatkesh she said: ‘I made sure he was aware of the training manual.
I ensured all members of staff are fully trained and are up to date with their qualifications.
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Al-Natsheh said that although his English ‘wasn’t terribly good’ he had told her he was taking regular language courses while working at the pharmacy.
‘I expected his English would be constantly improving,’ she told the hearing.
‘He said he was very thorough with checking prescriptions.
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Al-Natsheh continued: ‘I got the view during the meeting that he seemed comfortable and settled.
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She insisted she had taken her role seriously, including ensuring staff were competent in speaking English and kept their skills at the right level.
She also would interview staff every time she returned to the UK.
Asked by Fenella Morris, for the RPS, if she felt she fulfilled her responsibilities seriously Al-Natsheh replied: ‘Yes, I think so.
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Miss Morris added: ‘You have no niggling anxiety at the back of your conscience you did not do enough?’
‘No’, replied Al-Natsheh.
She added: ‘I delegated this job (recruiting Mr Zahmatkesh) to Mr Ganpatsingh.
He had been a working pharmacist for 25 years.
He has good experience of recruiting pharmacists in the past.
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Miss Morris told the hearing earlier: ‘These deficiencies in relation to the company and Mrs Al-Natsheh emerged as a result of the identification of this dispensing error.
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Al-Natsheh is appearing at the disciplinary hearing in central London accused of failing to discharge her personal professional duties as a superintendent pharmacist.
This includes failing to ensure Mr Zahmatkesh had the requisite skills, knowledge, and fitness to perform work delegated to him.
The allegation also involves failing to make sure he was sufficiently competent in English, and to supervise or support him.
The committee may decide to remove Al-Natsheh’s name from the register if they decide she is guilty of misconduct.
The hearing continues.
ends
