Pharmacist Walks Free from Court after Stealing £15,000 Worth of Medication
Background
Modie Al-Shakarchi, a 34-year-old pharmacist, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months with requirements that he completes ten days of rehabilitative activity and 150 hours of unpaid work after admitting to two counts of fraud and two counts of theft. Al-Shakarchi, who comes from a family of high-achievers, including a father who is a leading Harley Street orthopaedic doctor and a younger brother who is a successful conflicts manager for a leading New York law firm, was caught stealing £15,000 worth of medication from Superdrug and Well stores where he worked as a freelance pharmacist.
The Crimes
Al-Shakarchi ordered prescription weight loss drugs and shingles vaccines while working for Superdrug and Well stores, but would then pocket them and sell them online. He was caught after being observed on CCTV placing drugs into his rucksack. He also sold £120 worth of stolen prescription drugs to a suspicious staff member who purchased them from his online store.
Sentencing
Sentencing Judge Steven Everett told Al-Shakarchi, "This is a spectacular fall from grace, it is clear from reading all the information including references from your father, younger brother, partner, and friend that over many years you had built a very good reputation as a pharmacist. But unfortunately, for reasons not clear to me, you supplied drugs that did not belong to you to assist your online pharmacy business. It would have been shocking to staff for a trusted locum to pretty well brazenly steal from their shops."
Mitigation
In mitigation, Al-Shakarchi’s defence counsel, Nicholas Clarke, said, "The defendant is normally an altruistic individual, but during this period, unusually and rather disastrously for Mr Al-Shakarchi became rather self-centred and was looking after his own interest rather than those of other people. He should have known better, in terms of his upbringing and education. He admits the mistake. He is prepared to learn from the mistake. There is an awareness of the impact of his behaviour, once he appreciated that his career in this field was over, he has started another one."
Conclusion
Al-Shakarchi’s case serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical behavior in the pharmaceutical industry. His actions have compromised his reputation and may have put patients at risk. Fortunately, he has been given a second chance and has started a new career in computer game programming, a field in which he is currently studying for a Master’s degree and is seeking to pursue a PhD.
FAQs
Q: What were the charges against Modie Al-Shakarchi?
A: Al-Shakarchi was charged with two counts of fraud and two counts of theft.
Q: How much medication did Al-Shakarchi steal?
A: Al-Shakarchi stole £15,000 worth of medication from Superdrug and Well stores.
Q: What was the sentence handed down to Al-Shakarchi?
A: Al-Shakarchi was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months with requirements that he completes ten days of rehabilitative activity and 150 hours of unpaid work.
Q: What is Al-Shakarchi’s new career path?
A: Al-Shakarchi has started a new career in computer game programming and is currently studying for a Master’s degree.
