A southern New South Wales GP has avoided suspension of his license, despite a finding of professional misconduct after a police crackdown on so called ‘doctor shopping’ for narcotics.
Dr Ferdinand Saldevar of KRS Health at Kooringal in Wagga Wagga made more than 2000 ‘Schedule 8’ drug prescriptions in the two years to 2012.
The Wagga GP told the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) he began the practice when then partner, Dr Peter Keith, ceased being allowed to prescribe such drugs.
Three years ago, police complained about the high number of fentanyl patches being prescribed by Dr Saldevar.
One patient received 25 fentanyl patches for 18 days when that amount should have lasted 75 days.
He said that in 2008 he had very little knowledge about the potential abuse of fentanyl patches, or the market for them, among drug users.
On each of 14 complaints, Dr Saldevar admitted he was guilty of professional misconduct
Dr Saldevar told the Commission he stopped the practice voluntarily two years ago and does not intend applying for the right to issue the drugs again.
The HCCC finding says given Dr Saldevar has abandoned all ability to prescribe drugs of addiction, there is no justification in either cancelling or suspending his registration.
The Health Care Complaints Commission has barred the Wagga GP from prescribing opioids, he must undergo supervision and auditing of his practice and record keeping, and has been limited to seeing 30 patients a day.
It says he has taken positive steps to improve his practice of medicine and continues to do so.