An Abbotsford pharmacist is temporarily out of a job after being suspended for 60 days by the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia for fraudulently refunding more than $18,000 to himself.

Mitesh Vaghajibhai Malaviya received the group's decision on May 2, with the suspension set to take place from May 5 to July 3.

According to the ruling, Malaviya acknowledged that while performing his duties as a pharmacist manager, he fraudulently refunded a total of $18,323.23 to his personal credit cards and in cash for himself.

The decision does make it clear that Malaviya repaid the total amount of money he defrauded from his employer, but he was still handed a suspension and a $1,500 fine.

The full disciplinary measures also require Malaviya to complete an ethics course for healthcare professionals, have a letter of reprimand on file for two years, and be banned from working as a pharmacy manager or director for three years.

"The Inquiry Committee considered the registrant鈥檚 actions were serious and amounted to professional misconduct," explained the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia. 

"It further determined that the consent agreement ought to include terms that are punitive in nature owing to the registrant鈥檚 dishonest conduct."