Salmon Arm pharmacist pays fine for diverting drugs from hospital

A former Salmon Arm pharmacist has to pay a hefty fine for diverting drugs from the local hospital.

Earlier this month, Laurent Roy, 59, pleaded guilty to 11 counts under the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act, in exchange for dropping two criminal code counts of theft and fraud over $5,000.

He was ordered to pay $2,000 for each count or $22,000.

READ MORE: Two Salmon Arm pharmacists charged with fraud in drugs theft

He was involved in a complicated scheme with Ian Petterson, who was a pharmacist at Shuswap Lake General Hospital, to pocket cash after doctoring invoices. Between 2011 and 2018, Petterson stole drugs and “pharmacy supplies” from hospital stores and sold it to Roy, who worked at Remedy’s RX. Roy was suspected of selling the drugs from Remedy’s for cash.

Petterson, 63, was suspended for a year by the College of Pharmacists of B.C. and was fined $35,000. He has not tried to renew his licence since. In September 2023, Petterson pleaded guilty to theft over $5,000 and fraud over $5,000 and was sentenced to a two years under house arrest.

Roy was also suspended for a year by the College and fined $25,000. It is unclear if he is currently registered with the college.

Both pharmacists were also sued by Interior Health.

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