Z
Zhuge Liang
Guest
May 23, 2011
Doctor suspended, fined by Singapore Medical Council
By Poon Chian Hui
A general practitioner (GP) has been suspended and fined by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) for doling out hypnotic medication and codeine cough mixtures too freely. -- ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI
A GENERAL practitioner (GP) has been suspended and fined by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) for doling out hypnotic medication and codeine cough mixtures too freely.
Dr Kong Sin Ming, 64, was found guilty on 20 counts of inappropriately prescribing hypnotics and codeine-containing medication, the SMC said on Monday.
He was suspended for five months from April 23 and fined $5,000.
The investigation against Dr Kong, who practises at Kong Clinic and Surgery in Yishun, stemmed from a complaint filed by the Health Ministry in June 2009. The SMC held an inquiry in March this year, where Dr Kong pleaded guilty to the offences.
The medical watchdog 'noted with concern' that a number of Dr Kong's patients were put on different types of hypnotics and codeine cough mixtures at the same time. The SMC said this was a 'serious breach' of ministry guidelines that 'warranted a substantial punishment'.
