Doctor given lighter punishment for inappropriately prescribing medicine

SINGAPORE - A general practitioner (GP) was fined $5,000 and censured by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) for inappropriately prescribing addictive medicine to patients.

Dr Tan Hui Hoon, 50, of Drs Goh & Tan Family Clinic & Surgery at Blk 283 Bishan Street 22 was convicted of four counts of improper prescription of benzodiazepines and mixtures containing codeine, The Straits Times reported.

The complaint was filed by the Ministry of Health in November 2009.

She was also ordered by the council to submit a written undertaking stating that she will not engage in similar conduct again.

The council noted that a lighter punishment was given as the charges were fewer than previous similar offenders and she had positive references from patients.

Earlier this week, a GP was suspended for three months by the SMC for similar charges.