Bedok clinic doctor suspended after inappropriately prescribing 4,975 pills to elderly patient over 17 years

A doctor working at a family clinic in Bedok got his license suspended after he inappropriately prescribed medicine to an elderly patient over a prolonged period of time.

The doctor, Ooi Teik Huat, has 45 years of experience after he transitioned from being a physician to a doctor in 1979.

He was working at The Civic Clinic along Block 537 Bedok North Street 3 when his malpractice was brought to light.

Patient lodged a report

According to documents that laid out the grounds of decision, Ooi mixed the medications for one of his regular patients over a period of 14 years.

The now 75-year-old patient began receiving concurrent prescriptions of two benzodiazepines since he was 55 years old.

He received the last of such prescriptions when he was 69, which was by then over a period of 14 years.

The patient eventually filed a report with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) in August 2020.

Doctor admitted to improper practice

When confronted, Ooi admitted to three charges.

The first charge pertained to him mixing medications between 2004 and 2018, whereby he prescribed two benzodiazepine-based sedatives together on at least 15 occasions.

Benzodiazepines are depressant drugs typically used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.

Further investigation revealed that Ooi prescribed a total of 4,975 pills, including seven different kinds of benzodiazepines to the same patient, over a period of 17 years.

Ooi allowed the clinic staff to dispense the patient's prescriptions at least 107 times between 2002 to 2019, all without formal consultation.

As for his last charge, Ooi confessed that he had failed to refer the patient to a specialist after the patient had grown alarmingly dependent on the medication.

Eroded trust in medical profession

The medical council found that Ooi's actions were a severe violation of medical guidelines.

They said he had eroded public trust in the medical profession.

Pleading for leniency, Ooi explained that he had prescribed the medications in low dosages, along with instructions for the patient to take them only when needed.

Ooi shared that he had initially waived fees for the patient as he was related to a former nurse.

Knowing that the patient was thrifty, he subsequently hiked up the price of his medication in an effort to dissuade the patient from becoming overly-reliant on it.

Ooi said he had acted out of genuine care for the patient, and that he had wished to see the patient live a normal life.

Had acted out of "care"

Ooi described the patient as someone stubborn, with a short fuse.

He explained that since the patient often refused formal consultation, he had resorted to observing the patient through a one-way mirror in the clinic.

He added that the clinic staff had always sought his approval before dispensing medications to the patient.

Ooi also stated that he did not turn a blind eye to the patient's growing dependence on the medication.

He had tried referring the patient to a psychiatrist, he said, only to have the patient refuse time and time again.

The referral attempts were not documented in the patient's medical records.

Expressed regret

Ooi expressed regret over his actions, requesting a fine of S$100,000 instead of suspension.

Documents also acknowledged that Ooi had been diagnosed with cancer in 2021, and attributed his heightened stress and anxiety to the ongoing legal proceedings.

Well-known in estate

Ooi's medical licence was suspended for eight months, effective Dec. 16.

When Shin Min Daily News visited the clinic on Dec. 19, it was business as usual.

Staff confirmed that a new doctor had taken over the post, but declined to share more details.

Residents who expressed fondness for Ooi were taken aback by his suspension.

"Many patients have been seeing him since they were young. Many older patients frequent the clinic too. While his fees might be slightly higher, his expertise is well-regarded," said a former patient.

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