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Doctor censured, fined for professional misconduct
Posted: 17 May 2012 1058 hrs
SINGAPORE: A doctor has been censured and fined for professional misconduct.
A Disciplinary Committee (DC) Inquiry found Dr Chai Chwan, 47, guilty of 31 charges of misconduct.
The Singapore Medical Council (SMC) said on Thursday that the inquiry proceedings arose out of two complaints by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
One was on August 10, 2007 about Dr Chai's practice at Little Cross Family Clinic in Tampines.
The other was on April 30, 2008 about his practice at My Little Family Clinic in Jalan Bukit Merah.
The SMC said Dr Chai faced a total of 71 charges.
The first group of charges related to the way he managed patients who had been prescribed Subutex.
He faced a total of 49 charges - 27 were for patients seen at Little Cross Family Clinic and 22 for patients seen at My Little Family Clinic.
Another set of charges revolved around financial schemes.
He faced 22 charges of allegedly introducing, implementing and/or participating in two financial schemes at My Little Family Clinic.
One is an Incentive Scheme, whereby patients who referred new patients to the clinic would enjoy a discount on future treatments.
The other is a Surcharge Scheme, whereby the clinic would make patients who need Subutex pay a 'surcharge' for returning to the clinic earlier than previously agreed.
The prosecution proceeded on 15 of the 49 charges for Subutex, and 16 of the 22 charges for financial conflict.
The DC accepted Dr Chai's plea of guilt and found him guilty of the 31 charges.
It sentenced him to a fine of S$5,000 on the Subutex charges, and a fine of S$3,000 for the charges for financial conflict.
Dr Chai was also censured and had to give undertakings that he will manage his patients and prescribe medication with more rigour.
He has to keep proper records of his consultations with his patients and not enter any arrangements with his patients that are not ethical.
He also has to bear the costs and expenses related to the disciplinary proceedings.
- CNA/cc
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