In a recent development, Dr. Maninder Singh Shahi, a 61-year-old Indian-origin doctor with a distinguished 35-year career, has faced a suspension from medical practice in Singapore for three years. The Singapore Disciplinary Tribunal took this action after uncovering instances where Dr. Shahi improperly prescribed long-term sedatives to seven patients over an extended period, spanning more than a decade.
Dr. Shahi, who served as a family doctor at the 81 Family Clinic (now named Legacy Clinic) located in Marine Parade Central, pleaded guilty before the tribunal. The charges against him included inappropriate prescription practices, such as benzodiazepines, zopiclone, or zolpidem, as well as failure to make timely referrals to specialists and inadequate documentation in patients' medical records.
The tribunal's grounds of decision, released on January 9, highlighted the acceptance of the Singapore Medical Council (SMC)'s submissions leading to the suspension. Notably, the tribunal rejected Dr. Shahi's plea for a reduction in sentence, citing a delay in prosecution.
The charges against Dr. Shahi specifically involved prescribing medications meant for conditions like insomnia and anxiety, such as benzodiazepines, zolpidem, and zopiclone, for unusually prolonged periods – ranging from seven to over thirteen years. The tribunal emphasized that under ethical guidelines, doctors are expected to prescribe these medications for short-term relief, typically two to four weeks.
The SMC argued that Dr. Shahi's actions exposed his patients to the risk of serious harm, creating dependence and tolerance to these medications. The tribunal concurred with the SMC, emphasizing deterrence as a critical principle in such cases.
In his defense, Dr. Shahi claimed that his motivations were not driven by profit but rather a desire to help his patients. He mentioned an attempt to refer three patients to a psychiatrist, although they were not interested. In such cases, Dr. Shahi argued that he did not want to alienate the patients and preferred to maintain their care under his supervision.
Dr. Shahi highlighted the demanding nature of his practice, noting that he saw between 40 to 70 patients daily for many years. To address this, he has handed over primary care responsibilities to his daughter and currently sees patients only during evening hours.
This disciplinary action, while aimed at upholding medical standards and patient safety, underscores the complexities and ethical considerations surrounding prescription practices within the healthcare profession.
