Australian pharmacist disciplined over steroid supply.

A GOLD Coast pharmacist has been disciplined after admitting he wrongfully dispensed steroids and supplied himself with restricted drugs.

Simon Andrew Booy, who graduated as a pharmacist in 2005, worked behind the counter at a pharmacy in a Mermaid Beach medical centre between June, 2008, and August, 2009, where he was often the sole employee on site.

Records brought to the attention of Queensland Health and the Pharmacy Board of Australia revealed that during that time, non-therapeutic amounts and combinations of steroids -- which could be used to build muscle bulk -- were dispensed.

Authorities found that during the 14-month period Mr Booy supplied a customer 168 Deca-Durabolin, 54 Primoteston Depo, 309 Sustanon and 20 Reandron phials, in line with prescriptions issued by Dr Peter Grant.

Dr Grant said he would discuss with the patient the regularity of the injections after Mr Booy raised concerns about the quantities being requested.

In a judgment handed down by a Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal made public yesterday, Judge Fleur Kingston found Mr Booy continued to fill the prescriptions authorised by the doctor until August, 2009.

"Mr Booy was aware the prescribing and use was unusual and took some steps, in concert with his employer, to try to address it," Judge Kingston said in her judgment.

"Unfortunately, those steps proved inadequate."

As part of the investigations Mr Booy also admitted to lax recording procedures and to having supplied himself with "restricted drugs", including Omepral and Somac.

Mr Booy later obtained medical authorisation for the medications and while his conduct was inappropriate, the tribunal had no evidence it was a common practice.

"Mr Booy dispensed anabolic steroids in circumstances in which he knew he should not," she said.

"At the time, he was a junior pharmacist who had a high level of responsibility and, it seems, he was not well equipped to discharge it."

Judge Kingston deferred a three-month suspension on Mr Booy's pharmacy registration, provided he not face further disciplinary action over the next 12 months.

He was also ordered to complete an ethical decision-making course and 12 months of mentoring.