Doctor fined $l000 for false prescription

Press, 18 February 1986, Page 36

Doctor fined $l000 for false prescription

PA Dunedin A doctor who wrote a prescription with a false name and address has been fined $lOOO by the Medical Practioners’ Disciplinary Committee, according to the “Medical Journal.” The doctor, referred to as Dr X in the report of the inquiry published in the latest “Medical Journal,” was found guilty of professional misconduct for prescribing an amphetamine for a schoolgirl, aged 16. He was ordered to pay a $lOOO penalty and inquiry costs of $3478. Dr X, a hospital registrar, gave the prescription to the girl on December 27, 1984. It was questioned 4>y the pharmacist who called the police.

“Dr X was not able to provide a medical reason for his actions and admitted the impropriety of issuing a prescription for a controlled drug on hospital board prescription paper,” the committee said.

“The police presented the details of their inquiry with which Dr X substantially agreed. He admitted to the committee that his conduct was wrong and irresponsible and said he had a painful lesson.” The committee, which met on November 22 last year, said the doctor had ignored the fundamental responsibilities of a doctor to his patients and society and had committed a very serious breach of his professional obligations.

It said it accepted the contrition expressed by the doctor and his resolution that such conduct would not be repeated. The Disciplinary Committee suppressed the doctor’s name, saying he was young and his future career and contribution to medicine ought not to be further jeopardised. “It (the committee) is of the opinion that Dr X’s contribution to medicine and to his own future should not be imperilled by this episode and the committee will lend its good offices in this episode to employing hospital boards and the Minister if necessary to encourage the continuation by Dr X of his pediatric studies.”