Alberta pharmacist’s permit cancelled over sexual abuse of patients, staff: ACP

A stock photo of medicine in a pharmacy. (Unsplash/Árpád Czapp)

The Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) has ordered the permanent cancellation of a pharmacist’s practice permit after finding him guilty of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct.

The ACP says all victims involved were both patients and employees at Ankit Parikh’s Bassano pharmacy at the times of the abuse and misconduct.

“Parikh was also found to have repeatedly consumed alcohol on the pharmacy premises, including when the pharmacy was open to patients and he was the pharmacist in charge,” the ACP said in a Tuesday news release.

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The cancellation of Parikh’s permit means he can no longer practice as a pharmacist, nor can he apply for reinstatement.

“ACP has standards of practice relating to sexual abuse and sexual misconduct. All regulated members must complete mandatory training related to the requirements in these standards,” said Brad Willsey, ACP’s registrar and CEO.

“Regulated members must understand what is acceptable behaviour and what is not.”

The decision to cancel Parikh’s permit was made by the ACP’s hearing tribunal in 2024, but was appealed by Parikh.

The ACP’s appeal panel dismissed the appeal in its entirety and ordered Parikh to pay costs of the appeal in addition to the sanctions from the hearing tribunal’s original decisions.

Parikh then appealed to the Alberta Court of Appeal, which, on June 23, dismissed the appeal and reduced the ordered costs Parikh is to pay.

Willsey says the ACP is pleased the court upheld the decisions from the hearing tribunal and the appeal panel.

“This ruling affirms ACP’s mission to serve, support and protect the public’s health and well-being,” he said.

“The ability to hold regulated members accountable for their conduct is a key element of that mission.”

The town of Bassano is located approximately 140 kilometres southeast of Calgary.

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
• The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling.
• The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: [phone] or [phone] (24/7)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: [phone] (24/7)
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] (24/7)
• Trans Lifeline: [phone]
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: [phone]
• Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.