GP censured by Medical Council for drug possession and consumption

SINGAPORE - A GP has been censured by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) for possessing and consuming an illegal drug. 

In 2011, Dr Mervin Lim Lok Houw pleaded guilty to two charges - the first for the possession of 0.37 grams of methamphetamine, or Ice as it is more commonly known, and the second for the possession of utensils used for drug consumption.

For the offences, Dr Lim served eight months in prison and was detained for four months in the Drug Rehabilitation Centre.

In a statement this morning, SMC said that the council has also ordered him to be censured, give a written undertaking to SMC that he will not engage in similar conduct again, and pay the cost and expenses of and incidental to the proceedings.

In its published grounds of decision, SMC said in considering the mitigating factors, it gave credit to the general practitioner for his early plea of guilt. They also took into account the submission that the offences were committed on the "spur of the moment during a momentary lapse in judgment".

SMC noted that Dr Lim had effectively stopped practising during the period of his detention and jail term.

yamadak@sph.com.sg