Bassano pharmacist loses practice permit for sexually abusing patients, employees

Ankit Parikh appealed the suspension, but it was upheld by the Alberta Court of Appeal

A Bassano pharmacist has received a permanent cancellation of practice permit and registration after being found guilty of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct of patients. A hearing tribunal for the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) ordered the cancellation for Ankit Parikh. “Permanent cancellation means that Parikh is no longer permitted to practise as a pharmacist, nor can he apply for reinstatement,” ACP said in a statement.

The college said all patients involved were also employees at the pharmacy at the time of the abuse and miscondut, and Parikh was also found to have repeatedly consumed alcohol on pharmacy premises. At times, this was when the pharmacy was open and he was the pharmacist in charge. The tribunal describes one incident as a significant power imbalance between Parikh and the victim.

“She was dependent on Mr. Parikh for her livlihood and for pharmacy services for both her and her family,” the ruling states. The ruling says Parikh left the victim in a position where she felt she had no choice but to engage in the sexual activity if she wanted job security and access to pharmacy services in town. Incidents listed in the original hearing decision include Parikh using his body to block the victim against a fridge, threatening to rape her if she didn’t have sex with him, and engaging in sexual intercourse with her in the pharmacy on multiple occasions without her consent.

To the same victim, he requested a kiss after he claims he had just brushed his teeth, and told her he masturbated to the thought of her. Another victim was asked to perform oral sex on Parikh in exchange for a $50 advance on her paycheque, and also engaged in sexual intercourse multiple times in the pharmacy without her consent. A third victim was told by Parikh to lose weight to look better, as well as had him stare at the nametag on her chest so much she eventually stopped wearing it.

He also allowed a friend to socialize in the pharmacy despite knowing he made comments of a sexual nature to her. An additional victim was subject by Parikh to comments on their body shape, invites to stay after work and drink with Parikh in the pharmacy, unwanted invites to a bar and suggestions that it was okay to cheat on a wife. These incidents all occurred over several years, from 2015 to 2019.

“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 in the statement. “Regulated members must understand what is acceptable behaviour and what is not.

They should also be aware of the consequences of not adhering to these standards.” The tribunal decisions were reached in 2024, and appealed by Parikh to the Appeal Panel of ACP council. The Appeal Panel dismissed Parik’s appeal and ordered him to pay costs associated with the appeal in addition to sanctions from the original decisions.

Parikh then appealed to the Court of Appeal in Alberta, which was also dismissed. The Court of Appeal reduced the ordered costs. “ACP is pleased that the Court of Appeal of Alberta upheld the decisions of the Hearing Tribunal and the Appeal Panel,” said Willsey.

“This ruling affirms ACP’s mission to serve, support, and protect the public’s health and well-being. The ability to hold regulated members accountable for their conduct is a key element of that mission.” Parikh’s practice permit and registration with ACP have been cancelled after originally being suspended on April 6, 2020 — he has remained out of practice since that time.

He is ordered to pay a fine of $5000, as well as the costs of the investigation, hearing and appeal totalling $73,387. The fine is to serve as notice to the profession that being under the influence of substances while providing professional services, or while in the pharmacy open to the public, is unprofessional and could cause harm. Catch up with the day’s headlines, curated by our editors and delivered to your email inbox at lunchtime on every business day.

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