Queen Mary Hospital announces investigation progress of alleged incident of improperly obtaining drug
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The spokesman for Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) announces today (October 26) the investigation progress of an alleged incident of improperly obtaining drug:
The QMH has received a report of a doctor suspected of obtaining morphine oral analgesics improperly. The hospital is deeply concerned about the incident. As the doctor concerned is employed by the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKU), a joint committee has been set up between the QMH and the HKU to stringently follow up on the incident and look into the complaint details.
Several other doctors appear to have prescribed drugs for the doctor concerned from February to August 2022. The committee met with the doctor concerned on October 22. In order to clarify if criminal element is involved, the hospital has reported the case to the Police. The QMH is in co-operation with Police's investigation and thus further details on the case cannot be provided at this stage.
The doctor concerned is on leave at the moment. The QMH has reviewed the related patients' records, and no patient has been affected. The QMH will take follow-up actions in accordance with existing procedures and relevant codes of professional conduct of medical practitioners.
The Hospital Authority (HA) has in place guidelines to supervise prescription of drugs by doctors. Doctors must prescribe suitable drugs to patients in need, according to their clinical conditions and related drug prescription guidelines. The HA also has an established mechanism to review drug prescriptions, to ensure that patients get appropriate, safe and effective drugs.
Ends/Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:28
Issued at HKT 21:28
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