The Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists has disciplined a Truro pharmacist for professional misconduct a second time.

In July, a professional investigation committee found Michael McKeigan lied to a patient and failed to transfer prescription information to another pharmacy when requested.

McKeigan was also found to have impersonated another pharmacist on the phone and misled the professional investigation committee.

This is the second time McKeigan has faced professional discipline.

In 2008, he was censured for defrauding a Walmart pharmacy where he worked.

Susan Wedlake, with the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists said the second offence lead to a harsher punishment.

"I think that's the reason the sanctions were pretty strong on this one," said Wedlake. "I think some pharmacists might look at this and say 'wow, those are pretty strong sanctions' but it was the second time and that does have an impact on the sanctions."

This time, McKeigan's licence to practice pharmacy was suspended for a month.

He was also fined $1,500 and ordered to pay costs of nearly $10,000.

"We would have concerns if a pharmacy, for example, refused to transfer a prescription because they were more concerned over maintaining that patient contribute to their bottom line," said Wedlake. "So whenever pharmacists are looking after their patients, the patient and the patient's welfare must always be the primary concern for that pharmacy and that pharmacist and not that bottom line."

The Nova Scotia Pharmacy College made its decision in July.

The information was published last month in the pharmacists' professional bulletin.