Former Koroit pharmacist Tim Hopwood reprimanded for professional misconduct

A former Koroit pharmacist, reprimanded after he was found to have committed professional misconduct, now wants to set up shop in Melbourne.

A former Koroit pharmacist has been reprimanded after he was found to have committed professional misconduct.

Tim Hopwood fronted the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Wednesday after the Pharmacy Board of Australia initiated proceedings against the pharmacist.

The tribunal heard Hopwood used his position as a pharmacist to pursue a relationship with a “vulnerable” patient.

Hopwood administered medication to the patient which would have made him aware of the woman’s “level of vulnerability”, the tribunal was told.

Hopwood, who “failed to appreciate the patient remained vulnerable” and “failed to appreciate the power imbalance”, continued to dispense medication to the patient after the pair got into a relationship.

Andrew Imrie, for the board, said there was “boundary breaches” between Hopwood and the patient and another woman.

Pharmacist Tim Hopwood. Supplied.

“There was concurrent professional and personal relationships in both cases,” Mr Imrie said.

“The vulnerability of the two patients by reason of their circumstances and their health conditions … those matters … are accepted by the respondent …

“The power imbalance in the relationships … essentially it is inadvertence by Mr Hopwood to turn his attention to the risks associated with the dual relationships …

“One of the more serious aspects to the conduct on a whole … (is Hopwood) accepts he used his position as a pharmacist to initiate and pursue … especially initiate that relationship.”

Mr Imrie said the board doesn't submit there was any evidence the clinical care of either patient was impaired by the dual relationships or boundary breaches.

“It’s important to emphasise that the issue in cases as such as this is the potential for harm rather than harm that is suffered,” Mr Imrie said.

Hopwood, who was suspended for 20 days in 2019, sold his practice and hasn’t practised as a pharmacist since May last year.

The tribunal told there was no evidence Hopwood exploited the patients.

Ben Jellis, for Hopwood, said his client had practised for 45 years including in Warrnambool and Koroit.

“He (Hopwood) intends to return to practise now and his plan is to move to Melbourne and work as a pharmacist in Melbourne as soon as possible,” Mr Jellis said.

“He has a good record and there are some very excellent references (submitted) on his behalf.”

Mr Jellis also told the tribunal there was “no meaningful risk of repetition of the conduct” after a psychologist found Hopwood was at “no risk”.

Hopwood, a father and grandfather, told the tribunal “there is no place for a relationship where a therapeutic relationship exists”.

“I am deeply apologetic to those at the centre of my failures for comprising, severely challenging and undermining the trust in me as a healthcare professional,” Hopwood said.

“I am deeply apologetic to the (Koroit) community … for comprising their trust in me as their pharmacist… I am deeply apologetic to the pharmacy profession.”

Hopwood said he wants to work as a pharmacist employee in Melbourne then will “see what happens”.

Hopwood also said the “people in Koroit were in no danger at all”.

Member Raymond Gymer said “sometimes life throws you curveballs”.

“There was choices that you (Hopwood) made that in retrospect perhaps should’ve been made differently,” Mr Gymer said.

“I accept the whole process has been a harrowing one for you …”

VCAT Senior Member Jonathan Smithers accepted Hopwood’s conduct amounted to professional misconduct.

Hopwood was reprimanded with a mentoring condition imposed on his registration.

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