B.C. pharmacist who showed ‘persistent disregard for his professional obligations’ suspended, fined by regulator

A technician counts pills in a pharmacy laboratory, Wednesday February 5, 2025. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

A Kamloops pharmacist is in the midst of a 120-day suspension after obstructing an investigation by his professional college and engaging in other “dishonourable” conduct, according to the regulator.

David Cory Zucker reached a consent agreement with the College of Pharmacists of B.C. that took effect on Aug. 6, but the details of the case were not published on the college’s website until recently.

According to the published summary of the agreement, Zucker entered peace bonds in 2022 and 2024 “in relation to allegations of potential harm to persons or property.”

In 2024, he was arrested and criminally charged after “a series of incidents” that included failing to comply with conditions imposed on him by law enforcement.

“The registrant failed to report criminal charges to the college as required during the annual registration renewal processes in 2023, 2024 and 2025,” the summary reads, adding that Zucker also breached the terms of a previous consent agreement with the college.

The document does not elaborate on the underlying offences or say how they were resolved.

Online court records show a man named David Cory Zucker was most recently in court in Kamloops on Jan. 30 of this year for an “application to vary sentence.” The appearance is marked as concluded with “reasonable grounds satisfied,” which means the judge in the matter approved a peace bond.

The court documents are marked as a “K” file, a designation B.C. courts use to indicate cases of alleged intimate partner violence.

According to the college’s summary, Zucker “obstructed the investigation” into his conduct by “submitting false information in a written statement.”

In the consent agreement, Zucker agreed to have his registration suspended for 120 days, beginning on Aug. 6 and continuing through Dec. 3.

He must also pay a $2,500 fine, receive a letter of reprimand and complete an ethics course for health-care professionals within 180 days of signing the agreement.

“The inquiry committee determined that the registrant demonstrated a persistent disregard for his professional obligations, as evidenced by his lack of honesty related to obstructing the investigation, failing to report criminal charges on multiple registration renewals, and breaching the terms of a signed consent agreement,” the summary reads.

“Therefore, the inquiry committee categorized the conduct as unprofessional, dishonourable, and unbecoming of a member.”

The college also determined that Zucker’s criminal charges and peace bonds were “related to his suitability to practise” because they “contradict the role of a regulated health-care professional” and display “poor judgment, a lack of self-control and the capacity for violent acts.”

“The inquiry committee considered the terms of the consent agreement necessary to protect the public, as well as send a clear message of deterrence to the profession,” the summary concludes.