Derby pharmacist Adam Chinotti disqualified for three years after illegally selling Valium to Jordan Sherwood

A Derby pharmacist has been barred from practicing for three years after a tribunal found he had committed professional misconduct by illegally selling stolen valium to Broome’s Jordan Sherwood the day before he died by suicide. The case of Adam Chinotti, 32, was brought before the State Administrative Tribunal of WA by the Pharmacy Board of Australia — supported by AHPRA — last month after he was found guilty of stealing 60 diazepam tablets, more commonly known as Valium, from his workplace and selling them to 20-year-old Jordan Sherwood in 2020. Mr Sherwood took his own life the following day. A toxicology report revealed he had high levels of diazepam in his system at the time of his death. It was also revealed the man had no prior documented mental health issues and had been planning a trip to Perth to visit his brother only hours before his death. In March 2021, Chinotti was given a 12-month suspended jail sentence and a $500 fine by the courts for his involvement. It was revealed the pharmacist had been stealing the drugs from his workplace, Kimberley Pharmacy, for up to 18 months before he was caught. The SAT found Chinotti had committed professional misconduct and disqualified him from applying for registration until November 23, 2025, and ordered him to pay $8000 towards the Board’s legal costs. Jordan’s father Jason said he was pleased with the tribunal’s decision, despite having hoped for a lifetime disqualification. “It would have been good if it was a permanent rather than three years,” he said. “But AHPRA’s lawyers have done a good job compared to our police prosecutors and court system who should have given him a bigger sentence. “At the end of the day AHPRA put down more or less a bigger penalty than our court system did.” Board chair Brett Simmonds said the disqualification was a severe measure to protect the public and underlined the grave nature of the conduct. “The national law governing Australia’s health practitioners exists to uphold public safety, not impose punishments. But it is important to note that even when a period of disqualification ends, practitioners cannot automatically return to their profession,” he said. “In this case, if Chinotti wanted to return to pharmacy he would need to reapply and prove that he meets the high standards of the profession, bearing in mind he will not have practiced since February 2021.” Chinotti has revealed he has no intention of re-qualifying as a pharmacist and is pursuing an alternative career. If you or someone you know is in need of support, help is available from Lifeline 13 11 14.