'Erratic' chemist struck off

A chemist working in West Lancashire who stole tablets in front of his colleagues and let drug addicts wander around the shop has been struck off.

A hearing by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society ruled that Ziad Khattab had been guilty of misconduct.

The hearing was told about how Mr Khattab's erratic behaviour at the BBR Pharmacy based at the Hillside Health Centre in Skelmersdale amazed members of staff.

Staff saw him sniffing nasal sprays at work and he turned up smelling of alcohol.

Case proven

One assistant, Laura Mullany, said Mr Khattab spent hours playing solitaire and he would cut himself playing with safety razors.

Another staff member told how he acted in a strange way and took drugs from the pharmacy quite openly.

The committee found the case proved against Mr Khattab , who did not attend the hearing.

Its chairman, Lord Fraser, said they had little hesitation in reaching its decision.