The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled the Quebec Order of Pharmacists can pursue its investigation into allegations that some of its members received kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies.
The SCOC ruled Thursday that four pharmaceutical companies must comply with the order's investigation, and hand over relevant records.
In 2003, the order launched an investigation into alleged misconduct following allegations made by the province's health insurance board, that suggested as many as 1,200 pharmacists across Quebec had accepted cruises and hockey tickets in return for promoting generic drugs.
Four pharmaceutical companies named in the investigation refused to turn over their records, said Jocelyn Binet, director of investigations at the order.
What the SCOC ruling now allows him to do is continue digging, Binet told CBC.
"What this judgment says, is that we can ask non-professionals, companies, [anyone] to give us information, or documents that will be essential for any inquiry that we have to do."
The SCOC decision will be useful to other professional orders facing similar situations involving alleged breaches of ethics, Binet said.
If the investigation determines any of the pharmacists did violate their professional code of ethics, they could face an array of sanctions up to licence suspension.
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- Supreme court says pharmacist kickback probe must go on
- The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled the Quebec Order of Pharmacists can pursue its investigation into allegations that some of its members received kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies.
