Concerns about pharmacists continuing to work despite being struck off are being raised by a Sussex MP.

David Lepper, Labour MP for Brighton Pavilion, is worried about the temporary grace period granted to pharmacists found guilty of misconduct.

Their names must be removed from the Register of Pharmaceutical Chemists but the ruling does not take effect for three months or until any appeal is concluded or withdrawn.

The concern follows the case of a Brighton pharmacist who was ordered to be struck off by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society last month after making three prescribing errors.

A disciplinary committee heard Errol Ganpatsingh, 56, gave one woman a double dose of anti-depressants and prescribed anti-anxiety drugs instead of cardiac drugs to a second woman.

A third patient was told to place three tablets in the rectum daily, when the pills should have been swallowed.

Despite the misconduct charge, Mr Ganpatsingh is allowed to carry on working at Preston Park Chemist in Beaconsfield Road, Brighton.

Mr Lepper plans to take the issue up with the Department of Health and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

He said: "I can understand that somebody whose professional future depends on a ruling such as this should have a proper right of appeal.

"But it does seem odd that someone who is found lacking by a professional body is allowed to continue practising in a situation like this."

A spokeswoman for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society was unable to explain the reason for granting the extended grace period.

She said: "The three-month rule is in the Pharmacy Act of 1954 and is something we are required to observe.

"The appeal process can take anything from a matter of weeks to several months."

Mr Ganpatsingh declined to comment.