Pharmacist suspended after dispensing over 500 doses of methadone – without prescriptions

Actions called 'egregious breach of trust' by B.C. investigating committee

Pharmacist suspended after dispensing over 500 doses of methadone – without prescriptions

A Nanaimo, B.C.-based pharmacist has been suspended after an investigation by the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (CPBC) found he dispensed hundreds of doses of methadone without proper prescriptions.

Between November 2022 and May 2024, while working as a pharmacy manager, Edgardo Maniago Montejo dispensed around 552 doses of methadone to a patient without a valid prescription and failed to log them in PharmaNet, which is required by law.

He also admitted to skipping crucial final checks and assessments, failing to properly reconcile narcotic medications, and even prescribing drugs to himself and his child—actions that go against professional standards.

The Ontario government has announced plans to expand pharmacists’ role in healthcare by broadening their knowledge and further honing their skills to provide healthcare.

‘Egregious breach of trust’ by pharmacist

The College’s Inquiry Committee called Montejo’s actions a “egregious breach of trust” that put the patient at risk.

They noted that his failure to follow proper procedures — including prescribing and dispensing drugs to himself and his child, which demonstrated a pattern showed a “pattern of disregard for the legislation that regulates the profession,” including the Health Professions Act.

As part of a Consent Agreement with the College, Montejo agreed to several penalties, including:

  • a 180-day suspension of his pharmacy license from January 13 to July 12, 2025
  • a $5,000 fine
  • a one-year ban from working as a pharmacy manager or training students after his suspension ends
  • a one-year restriction on dispensing opioid treatments and emergency prescription refills for certain medications
  • completion of an ethics course and the College’s Jurisprudence Exam
  • writing a formal apology to the prescribing doctor
  • averbal reprimand from the Inquiry Committee once his training is complete.

The College said the penalties aim to “send a clear message of deterrence” to other pharmacists while ensuring public safety.

In December, the CPBC also suspended a Vancouver pharmacist for six months and fined him $20,000 after an investigation revealed significant misconduct in his practice.