A GENERAL practioner was fined $5,000 and censured by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) after he admitted to nine charges of professional misconduct in prescribing Subutex and sedatives to his patients.
Dr Malcom Mah Mun Ho, who practiced at Pacific Mah Medical, at Block 452 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, pleaded guilty to the charges at a disciplinary inquiry held on Jan 12. He had voluntarily ceased his practice since August 2007 and now practices as a medical practitioner.
Eight of the charges related to the dispensation of Subutex, which is used to wean drug users off their heroin addiction. It was banned as an over-the-counter drug in 2006 following rampant abuse. The other charge was over prescription of Benzodiazepines.
Among the charges, Dr Mah admitted failing to exercise due care in patient management, formulating long-term treatment plant for his patients and failing to record their medical details.
The disciplinary committee warned doctors that blatant disregard of the standards and guidelines of the profession would not be taken lightly.
'The DC noted that the long term prescription of Subutex, Benzodiazepines and Hypnotics may lead to drug dependence and tolerance and cause harm to patients; this is the reason why in such cases, a period of suspension and a fine will invariably be imposed on the defaulting practitioner,' said the SMC in a statement on Monday.
Dr Man had to give a written undertaking to the SMC that he would not engage in similar conduct and ordered to pay the costs and expenses of the disciplinary proceedings.
--ST