Shipman pharmacist faces action

Shipman collected diamorphine from Mrs Brant's pharmacy

A pharmacist, who was criticised for failing to spot Harold Shipman's abnormal prescription habits, is facing disciplinary action.

Ghislaine Brant, who managed a pharmacy near Shipman's surgery in Hyde, lost her professional objectivity dealing with the GP, the Shipman Inquiry said.

Shipman collected the diamorphine he used to kill hundreds of patients from Mrs Brant's pharmacy.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society said the hearing will be later this month.

Prison death

In the fourth report from the Shipman public inquiry, Mrs Brant was criticised for not picking up on Shipman's extraordinary prescription patterns.

Inquiry chairman, Dame Janet Smith, said Mrs Brant had "lost her professional objectivity when dealing with Shipman" and had "plainly not applied her mind" when considering whether the dosage was appropriate for a patient.

Shipman was jailed four years ago for killing 15 of his women patients.

But a public inquiry later decided the 57-year-old had killed at least 250 patients over 23 years.

Shipman died after being found hanging in his cell in Wakefield Prison on 13 January 2004.

His death means the true extent of his crimes while a trusted family GP in Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire may never be known.

Mrs Brant still works at the pharmacy which is run by United Co-op.

The company said it had supported her during the Shipman Inquiry and would back her again at the hearing which will be held at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's headquarters in Lambeth, London on 21 February.