MOH revokes Bishan clinic's licence for cough syrup, sleeping pill prescriptions

A clinic in Bishan had its licence revoked for failing to comply with the conditions of its permit under the Healthcare Services Act (HCSA).

Numerous contraventions

These breaches were in relation to "prescription and supply of codeine cough preparations, benzodiazepines and other hypnotics", according to a press release by the Ministry of Health on Jan. 25, 2025.

They include:

• Failing to properly document and maintain health records of patients prescribed with codeine cough preparations, benzodiazepines, and/or other hypnotics;
• Failing to ensure its doctors supply codeine cough preparations within the prescribed limits;
• Failing to ensure its doctors avoid concurrent prescribing of two or more benzodiazepines or other hypnotics to their patients; and
• Failing to ensure its doctors refer patients, who require or have been prescribed benzodiazepines or other hypnotics beyond a cumulative period of eight weeks, to appropriate specialist(s) for further management.

"The numerous contraventions of the conditions of its licence over the course of less than a year demonstrate a lack of effective internal oversight, controls and governance by Prudence Family Clinic," said the Ministry of Health.

License revoked from Jan. 24, 2o25

"In view of these, MOH has assessed that Prudence Family Clinic Pte Ltd is no longer able to provide outpatient medical services in a manner that is clinically safe and ethically appropriate."

Prudence Family Clinic had its licence revoked with immediate effect from Jan. 24, 2025.

This means Prudence Family Clinic will not be able to offer any healthcare services at its permanent premise, at a temporary premise, or remotely through teleconsultation services.

The clinic's related accreditation and/or participation in Healthier SG, as well as MOH’s financial schemes, including the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) and MediSave, will also cease.

According to the press release, MOH issued a notice to Prudence Family Clinic on Dec. 20, 2024 regarding the intended revocation of its license.

The clinic was also given the opportunity to submit representations in respect of its intended revocation "but they did not do so".

Two practising doctor

The two practising doctors of Prudence Family Clinic involved in the "errant prescribing practices" have also been referred to the Health Sciences Authority for investigations of possible breaches of the Health Products Act 2007.

They will also be referred to the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) for inquiries into potential violations of SMC's Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines and the National Guidelines on Safe Prescribing of Opioids.

Prudence Family Clinic had been instructed to inform all affected patients to ensure continuity of care, according to MOH.

Affected patients may choose to visit other nearby CHAS-accredited, MediSave-accredited, or Healthier SG clinics instead, said the ministry.

"MOH will continue to monitor licensed providers of outpatient medical services that prescribe and supply codeine cough preparations, benzodiazepines and other hypnotics to ensure that the consultations are conducted in compliance with prevailing regulatory requirement."

It added that it would "not hesitate" to take appropriate regulatory actions should non-compliance be found.

"MOH reminds all licensees granted approval under the HCSA to comply with their licensing obligations, the applicable regulations, and conditions of their licences and licensing-related approvals."

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