Panel hearing summary 2020.0900

Decision of the Medical Board of Australia

Performance and professional standards panel 

Jurisdiction: Queensland
Date of Decision: 26 March 2021

Classification of Notification

Pharmacy/medication - Inappropriate or inaccurate prescribing Clinical care - Inadequate or inappropriate treatment Documentation - Health record - Inadequate or inappropriate 

Summary

The Board referred allegations relating to prescribing, care, treatment and management of a patient. The Practitioner had engaged in a protracted period of off-label prescribing of steroidal and hormonal medications to a morbidly obese male patient to assist with weight loss. 

The Practitioner conceded that his prescribing, care and management of the patient was inadequate and inappropriate. The Panel found 3 out of 4 allegations proven and that the Practitioner had behaved in a way that constituted unsatisfactory professional performance.  The Panel considered that the Practitioner had not taken sufficient care in balancing the benefits and harms in the prescription of the various medications, the prescribing was not clinically justified and the prescribing exposed the patient to potential harm.

The Panel decided to caution the Practitioner, noting that it was not necessary to issue a reprimand, nor impose conditions, given that the Practitioner has undertaken relevant education, was now working in a supportive and structured environment, showed significant insight, remorse and understanding, presented as a skilled, competent, knowledgeable and up-to-date medical practitioner and was very unlikely to repeat his actions.