Doctor suspended for professional misconduct
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 30 August 2010 1103 hrs
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SINGAPORE: A doctor has been suspended by the Singapore Medical Council for six months and fined S$6,000 for professional misconduct.
Dr Ng Kwei Teo of KT Ng Clinic at Block 246 Hougang St 22 pleaded guilty to 47 charges related to the prescription of Subutex and Benzodiazepines, a class of hypnotic drugs.
The medical council's disciplinary committee said the charges on Subutex were mostly committed prior to the Health Ministry's Guidelines issued in 2005.
But it took the view that even without guidelines, such prescription should be made in accordance with the standards of the medical profession and good practice.
It said Dr Ng had also acted in disregard of his professional duties as he had continued to prescribe the drugs without appropriate specialist referral even after the guidelines were issued.
The committee also found that Dr Ng kept poor records.
Dr Ng will also be censured and ordered to give a written undertaking that he will not engage in similar conduct.
-CNA/wk
