Pharmacist Kristy Elisha Farley sentenced for unauthorised medicines bust, booze-fuelled crash

A now-suspended Gold Coast pharmacist was caught with a swag of contraband – including drugs and instructions on how to make meth – after sending the tip that brought cops to her door.

Pharmacist Kristy Farley (centre) leaving the Southport courthouse.

A Gold Coast pharmacist suspended by the state’s health watchdog was caught with a swag of contraband in her home after calling police there herself.

Southport Magistrates Court was told Kristy Elisha Farley made an anonymous Crimestoppers report after realising her new partner was involved in drugs and had previously been sentenced for serious offences, including domestic violence.

Police did not find the man when they searched Farley’s home on April 26, but did uncover numerous medicines in her possession.

Prosecutor Aylish Robertson said officers also located the drug temazepam and instructions on how to produce methylamphetamines.

The court was told it was only weeks later that Farley was found in her written-off car on the side of the road at the Smith St on-ramp, where she had slammed into a road sign.

Ms Robertson said police smelled a strong odour of liquor in the vehicle. Farley recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.251.

Pharmacist Kristy Farley (centre) leaving the Southport courthouse alongside her supporters.

Farley appeared with a clean criminal history and was supported by several family members seated in the courtroom gallery.

Defence lawyer Jason Jacobson, of Jacobson Mahony Lawyers, said the 42-year-old had studied several disciplines but spent most of her career as a pharmacist, including stints in state health teams around regional Queensland and at Pindara Private Hospital.

Farley was suspended by the state’s health ombudsman after being charged.

Mr Jacobson said Farley felt the anonymous report was the only way to escape from her “pushy and dominant” partner without blowback, but instead felt “affronted” by police officers’ attitudes when they searched her home.

The court was told the medicines found were mostly antibiotics or anti-inflammatories – which were often old, expired, or left behind by someone else – with the book on making meth something Farley had from university due to interest in the scientific process.

Mr Jacobson said that on the night of Farley’s crash, she was trying to drive to an after-hours doctor after being bitten on the face by her mother’s dog.

He said his client had been drinking heavily due to concerns for her future, deciding “in a frustrated state” to drive herself after a rideshare service cancelled the trip.

Magistrate Nerida Wilson told Farley she “should have known better”, but acknowledged the impact of her ongoing suspension and references that described her as an “ethical (and) extremely good” professional.

Farley pleaded guilty to 16 offences including possessing dangerous drugs, possessing unauthorised medicines or hazardous poisons, and driving under the influence of liquor.

She was fined $1800 and disqualified from driving for eight months. No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Pharmacist Kristy Elisha Farley sentenced for unauthorised medicines bust, booze-fuelled crash