Chemist is accused of groping customer

A CHEMIST groped a patient’s breasts and rubbed himself against her during private consultations “for his own sexual gratification”, a hearing was told.

Asif Ghafoor asked the woman what kind of underwear she had on and tried to force his hands underneath her clothes, it was said.

He targeted the 35-year-old during three separate one-to-one sessions after she complained of back pain, the General Pharmaceutical Council in London heard yesterday.

Ghafoor is accused of “inappropriate behaviour” with the woman, referred to only as DH, at the Elderslie Pharmacy in Elderslie, near Paisley, in March and April 2009.

Guy Micklewright, for the GPC, said: “On three separate occasions at his pharmacy, Mr Ghafoor, under the guise of conducting a legitimate examination of a complaint made by DH of lower back pain, touched her in a manner which was not only inappropriate but which was designed for his own sexual gratification.

“Clearly such actions are wholly incompatible with the duties this registrant owes to the patients under his care or who come to him with a complaint.”

At the first consultation, Ghafoor examined DH’s lower back before pulling her trousers down and probing her groin “as though he was examining a pregnant woman”, the panel was told.

He then pulled down her top and touched her left breast, it is alleged.

“He accepts he did, following her complaint, touch the lower part of her back,” said Mr Micklewright. “He says it was because he suspected there was a urinary tract infection.

“We say the reality of it was that it was a mechanism by which he could purport to carry out a legitimate examination, whereas in reality he was carrying out an act for his own sexual gratification.”

DH was given ibuprofen to help treat the pain, and returned for another examination a week later, at which Ghafoor’s behaviour continued, he added.

“He felt the patient’s abdomen through her clothing and – and of course this is the most serious part of the allegations – pressed himself up against her,” said Mr Micklewright.

He added that when Ghafoor did so he was sexually aroused. At a third examination two weeks later, Ghafoor asked DH what kind of underwear she had on before trying to force his hands under her clothes, the panel was told. “It seemed to me that he was trying to get his hands under my clothing, near my groin area,” said DH in evidence.

“He said the clothing I was wearing was too tight and that might be affecting how I was feeling.”

She reported the matter to Strathclyde Police, but no charges were ever brought, the panel was told.

Ghafoor admits examining DH on two occasions, but he denies acting inappropriately or that his behaviour was sexually motivated.

Furthermore, he denies that the third consultation ever took place.

If found guilty of misconduct he could be kicked out of the profession.

The hearing continues.