The pharmacy regulator's professional conduct committee censured Daniel McCarthy, a registered pharmacist with businesses in Ovens, Blackpool and Riverstick, Co Cork, at an inquiry held in Dublin on Monday. Mr McCarthy is also a registered vet with practices in Bandon and Ovens.

The Pharmaceutical Society defines censure as a decision "to criticise strongly" a registered pharmacist.

'System'

The professional body made this decision after examining allegations that Mr McCarthy was involved in the supply of prescription-only animal remedies "otherwise than in accordance with a valid veterinary prescription being present and/or in existence at the time of supply". The inquiry also heard that Mr McCarthy had operated a "system" to dispense drugs outside required prescriptions, including by completing prescriptions after medicines were supplied.

The breaches occurred between late-2009 and early-2011.

The vet practices registered by Mr McCarthy in Bandon and Ovens deal with large animals for 98% and 95% of their business respectively.

The Phamaceutical Society referred to a previous court case in which Mr McCarthy's Classes Lake Pharmacy Ltd was fined €14,000 in Cork District Court in 2012 after pleading guilty to 14 offences under the Pharmacy Act 2007.

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