Pharmacist Denies Conflict of Interest with Man Behind Essendon Doping Scandal

Topic: Doctors and Medical Professionals

Fri 7 Aug 2026 at 5:14pm

Stephen Dank is wanted by NT Police for fraud and other charges.

In short:

A pharmacist is accused of giving out performance-enhancing drugs inappropriately.

The conflict of interest is between the pharmacist, a doctor, and Stephen Dank.

What's next?

The case will be heard again on September 4.

A pharmacist is accused of professional misconduct for dispensing medication with a conflict of interest.

The pharmacist gave out medication that increases muscle mass and energy without proper checks.

The pharmacist had a conflict of interest with Stephen Dank, who was banned from the AFL.

A warrant for Stephen Dank's arrest was issued in 2020.

'Inappropriate dispensing' of performance-enhancing drugs

The pharmacist gave out medication without ensuring it was safe and clinically appropriate.

The pharmacist dispensed repeat prescriptions without the doctor's specific direction.

The doctor has strict conditions on his medical registration.

The pharmacist mailed medication to patients without considering safety and efficacy.

The pharmacist said he asked about the reasons for the prescriptions but did not do clinical assessments.

The Essendon supplements saga has ended after three years.

The pharmacist was told the medications were for hormonal deficiency.

The pharmacist denied dispensing repeats without a specific direction.

The doctor has conditions on his registration, including no access to certain medications.

The pharmacist confirmed the names and addresses of patients he mailed medication to.

Pharmacist met with Stephen Dank and Darwin GP

The conflict of interest started at a meeting between the pharmacist, Stephen Dank, and the doctor.

Stephen Dank proposed a partnership to create a lab to dispense medication.

Stephen Dank gave the pharmacist prescriptions to dispense.

Stephen Dank was introduced as 'Dr Dank' at the meeting.

The pharmacist dispensed too much medication to some patients.

The pharmacist dispensed medication to patients without evidence of payment for freight.

Pharmacist denies conflict of interest

The pharmacist denies having a professional or personal relationship with the doctor or Stephen Dank.

The pharmacist said the meeting was just a business discussion.

There was no proposal for the doctor or Stephen Dank to have a financial interest in the pharmacy.

The pharmacist would have benefited from opening the pharmacy near the clinic.

The pharmacist said he was told to dispense repeat prescriptions at once due to a shortage.

The pharmacist claims he did not take the idea seriously.

The pharmacist admitted dispensing repeat doses at Stephen Dank's direction.

The pharmacist believed Stephen Dank was a medical doctor.

The pharmacist said the doctor did not correct Stephen Dank.

The pharmacist became aware of Stephen Dank's past in March 2017.

If found guilty, the pharmacist could face penalties.

The pharmacist stopped dispensing medication from Stephen Dank's prescriptions.

The pharmacist continued to dispense medication to local patients for five months.

The patients said the medications were for hormone disorders.

The pharmacist could face penalties if found guilty of professional misconduct.

The case will be heard again on September 4.

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