Vancouver pharmacy forced to close after allegations of ‘dial-a-dope’ scheme

A Vancouver pharmacist has had his registration and business licence suspended after the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia believes he has been operating in contravention of federal controlled drug legislation.

The College alleges that investigators have found “evidence of criminal activity” at the Health Hub Pharmacy on Fraser Street near 42nd Avenue, owned and operated by Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu.

“The College received reports from Health Canada indicating the Pharmacy’s non-compliance with federal controlled drug legislation after Health Canada conducted inspections at the Pharmacy. The College also received information from the Vancouver Police Department regarding traffic stops made of the Pharmacy’s delivery vehicle, during which officers identified what appeared to be evidence of criminal activities and public safety risks. College inspectors performed an onsite inspection of the Pharmacy and identified what appeared to be multiple breaches of provincial legislation and College practice standards,” the College shared in its public bulletin.

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In a statement to CityNews, the VPD explained that in January and February of this year, officers working in the city’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood had “interactions with a person engaging in activity that was consistent with dial-a-doping.”

“The person was observed driving in the Downtown Eastside with a variety of prescription medications, cash, drug paraphernalia, and weapons. The person claimed he was an employee of a pharmacy and was doing deliveries, however, the man’s behaviour was not consistent with what we know to be a legitimate delivery driver,” Sgt. Steve Addison explained.

While police were unable to find evidence that met the “threshold” for criminal charges, Addison said, the information gathered was sent to the College of Pharmacists.

The College believes that allowing Sidhu and the Health Hub to keep operating “poses significant risks to individual patients, the public, and the Pharmacy’s staff.”

“Under the Registrant’s management of the Pharmacy, allegations have been identified regarding the following matters: unsecured narcotic drugs; improper narcotic drug prescription preparation; improper narcotic drug dispensing; incomplete patient records; lack of patient consultations; non-compliance with opioid agonist treatment standards; and improper use of non-College registrants in the delivery and administration of opioid agonist treatment drugs,” the College continued.

In 2020, Sidhu was investigated for similar concerns, the College alleges, and therefore, chose to suspend the licences pending the completion of its investigation.

CityNews has reached out to the Health Hub Pharmacy and Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu for more information.

-With files from Cole Schisler and Kier Junos