GP fined S$7,000 for inappropriate prescription of Subutex

[Lu Bu]

GP fined S$7,000 for inappropriate prescription of Subutex
Posted: 19 April 2010 1042 hrs
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SINGAPORE : The Singapore Medical Council's Disciplinary Committee on Monday fined a general practitioner S$7,000 after he pleaded guilty to 122 charges related to the inappropriate prescription of Subutex to his patients back in 2003 and 2004.

Dr Chai Chwan was practicising at Little Cross Family Clinic at Block 915, Tampines Street 91 then. The charges arose from two complaints received against him. The two complaints were also previously the subject of Dr Chai's application to the High Court for leave to commence judicial review proceedings. The application was denied and the High Court's written judgment was then released in May last year.

Dr Chai was found to have failed to demonstrate that he had a proper management plan in treating his large number of patients. Several mitigating factors were taken into consideration. They include the fact the charges related to periods prior to the Ministry of Health introducing the Clinical Practice Guidelines on "Treatment of Opiate Dependence" in November 2005. Dr Chai was also censured and ordered to pay the cost of the proceedings.

- CNA/il