An Indian-origin pharmacist has been jailed by a court here for stealing prescription drugs worth 5,000 pounds ($6,405) and then selling them on the street.

Niren Patel, 38, of Ilford, Essex, appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court this week and pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by abuse of a position of trust, possession with intent to supply a class B drug and five counts of possession to supply a class C drug.The court was told that Patel, who worked at Day Lewis pharmacy in Hornchurch and Hedgemans Pharmacy in Dagenham, created fraudulent orders for prescription drugs worth 5,000 pounds, the Pharmaceutical Journal reported on Friday.The drugs he sold included class C drugs such as Xanax, Diazepam and the hypnotic Zolpidem.

He also stole the class B drug Dexamfetamine, used for weight loss and to improve academic performance, and Genotropin, a growth hormone used by bodybuilders.During questioning by police, Patel admitted he sold the drugs on the street."Patel abused his position as a pharmacist... The drugs he sold are highly addictive and dangerous when given to someone without a prescription," Detective Constable Beverley McInerney of the Met's Organised Crime Command said.