Nurse Struck Off
An aesthetic nurse has been struck off by the NMC and given a suspended sentence for faking over £3k of BOTOX prescriptions.
The story has been featured widely in the press including the Sun, Mail, Express, Guardian and ITV – as well as industry, legal and regional media.
BOTOX Legislation
UK law currently allows BOTOX to be injected without any qualification; yet it cannot be dispensed without a prescription as it is a prescription-only medication.
Kate Matthew was found to have obtained six prescriptions by using the photocopied signature of a doctor she met on a course. The fraud was discovered when a pharmacy contacted the doctor with a query and the doctor knew nothing about that particular prescription.
Prosecutors said the nurse had initially developed a working relationship with the doctor after meeting on a course. The arrangement was that the doctor would prescribe BOTOX for Matthew’s clients. When that business relationship came to an end, Matthew forged the doctor’s signature to obtain more BOTOX.
Presenting officer Bryony Dongray explained:
“The doctor received a letter from a private pharmacy. Having no idea what the prescription was in relation to, the doctor contacted the pharmacy. The doctor had written blank prescriptions in good faith. These prescriptions were photocopied and reused on six occasions.”
Following an investigation and a fitness to practise hearing before the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Ms Matthew was struck off indefinitely from working as a registered nurse.
In a separate criminal prosecution, Ms Matthew pleaded guilty to 6 counts of fraud and received an 32 week prison sentence suspended for 18 months. She was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work by Cardiff Crown Court.
Finding a Prescriber
This case underlines the importance for BOTOX practitioners of finding a prescriber and ensuring that all prescriptions are properly written for each individual patient.
You may also be interested in:
SkinViva Training Academy Manchester
SkinViva Training Ltd offer a range of professional training courses for cosmetic and medical skin treatments.
Their courses in cosmetic treatments directed at suitably qualified and registered medical professionals who wish to learn and build on their skills in delivering these procedures.
See our full list of forthcoming training course dates.
SkinViva Training Academy was established in 2013 by Dr Tim Pearce MBChB BSc (Hons) MRCGP – learn more about us. The SkinViva Training Academy team upholds high standards of clinical training providing a combination of fully-supervised practical experience together with essential theory.
For further information, to discuss which course is right for you, to enquire about availability or to book a training course please call 0161 850 2491, or email info@skinvivatraining.com.
Hi
i was wondering if pharmacists are trained ? im currently
working in a hospital studying a clinical pharmacy diploma. however, im not an independent prescriber.
regards
miss jk ghair
Hi, pharmacists are eligible for our training courses, but you must be a fully qualified Prescribing Pharmacist and a member of the relevant professional body. Please see Entry Requirements FAQ for more information.