B.C. pharmacist accused of reusing syringe barrel for COVID-19 immunizations

NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS 1130) — A pharmacist in New Westminster has been fired and an investigation is underway over claims he used the same syringe barrel for multiple patients while administering COVID-19 vaccines.

The College of Pharmacists of B.C.’s Inquiry Committee imposed limits and conditions on Bhanu Prasad Seelaboyina last week in order “to protect against further risk of harm to patients.”

He has been banned from administering drugs or substances by injection or through the nose, and acting as a pharmacy manager, until a full investigation can be complete.

The college says he admitted to using the same syringe barrel for multiple patients between Aug. 24 and Aug. 26, 2021. His Drug Administration Certification has been revoked. The college says he agreed to the conditions on his practice.

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Guardian Pharmacy in New Westminster says he was an experienced pharmacist and it is shocked to hear the allegations against him.

The owner of the pharmacy says as a pharmacist for over 30 years herself, she is heartbroken for her patients that this happened.

“I don’t understand it, I am shaking my head as well….it’s shocking to me,” Fabina Kara said.

Kara says 101 people were injected with Comirnaty, Pfizer’s vaccine, during the days in question by Seelaboyina, but it’s not clear how many of them were done with a reused syringe barrel.

The barrel of a syringe is the cylindrical part of that holds fluid to be injected, or fluid that has been withdrawn, and not the needle point itself.

A drawing of a needle showing the different parts. (Courtesy Island Health)

As a precaution, anyone potentially impacted will be contacted and told to get a blood test. They do not need to get a new COVID-19 shot as it was determined there was nothing dangerous or ineffective with the vaccine itself.

Kara says as a result of the claims, her pharmacy is not allowed to issue COVID-19 vaccines.

“I have had this pharmacy since 2007, and we have worked really hard to build up a great reputation for the pharmacy and we are really professional…I wish with all my heart that I get my opportunity back to be a pilot store again,” she said about her hopes to be picked to be allowed to administer COVID-19 vaccines in the future once the investigation is complete.

Fraser Health says it was made aware of an incident “involving infection prevention and control lapse” during COVID-19 immunizations where the plastic tubes that hold the vaccine solution were reused.

“This pharmacy was a participant in a provincial pharmacy pilot program that is testing the ability of pharmacies to use the IMMS BC booking system, and was suspended from the program once the incident was identified,” reads a statement from the health authority.

“We take any control lapse very seriously. As soon as we became aware of the issue, our Public Health team began following up with impacted patients regarding appropriate next steps to ensure their well-being. This included attempting to contact people by phone followed by a letter,” it added.

Fraser Health says the risk of contracting a bloodborne illness in this way is low, everyone affected is urged to see a doctor “to eliminate this potential concern.”