Pharmacist Receives 12 Month Sentence For Illegal Supply Of Prescription Medicines

A pharmacist has been sentenced to one year in prison for the illegal supply of prescription medicines.

Maurice Curry, 46, from Lisburn, pleaded guilty to illegally supplying large quantities of medicines, assessed at 875,000 tablets, over a five year period, from his pharmacy in Armagh.

The drugs illegally supplied included diazepam, tramadol, dihydrocodeine and oxynorm.

Mr Currie received 12 months imprisonment on each of twelve charges, to run concurrently.

The conviction followed an investigation undertaken by the Department of Health's Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG).

The officer in charge of the investigation, Mr Peter Moore, said: "The conviction and sentence makes it clear that those prepared to get involved in the illegal supply of dangerous drugs, no matter who they are or what position they might hold, will be brought before the courts. In the interests of public safety, illegal drugs supply in any guise cannot be tolerated.

"This is the most serious diversion of medicines by a professional that MRG has investigated, and this conviction and sentence clearly demonstrates our determination to combat this kind of illegal activity."

(CD)