‘Flagrant disregard’: Pediatrician suspended 1 year for prescribing controlled substances to family

A Toronto-area pediatrician is facing a 12-month suspension after being found to have prescribed large amounts of medication, including controlled substances and narcotics, to his close family members.According to the uncontested statement of facts in the April 9 decision from the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal, Dr. Ghassan Zohair Kamal Abu Kuwaik had provided medical care to three close family members on multiple occasions between 2012 and 2021. In 2015, for example, Dr. Abu Kuwaik prescribed more than 1,500 pills that were controlled substances or narcotics to one of his family members without creating a patient chart or informing their primary care physician. He also billed OHIP for his treatment of this family member on 26 occasions, including for assessments and psychotherapy.The college also found that Dr. Abu Kuwaik prescribed medication, including controlled substances and narcotics, to two other close family members. Once again, for both of these family members, he billed OHIP for these services and failed to create any patient charts for the care. The college’s policies only allow for the treatment of family members for a minor condition or in an emergency situation when no other qualified healthcare professional is available, but the tribunal found that these exemptions do not apply in this case.The college also conducted a search of Dr. Abu Kuwaik’s former residence and found two bags of medication, including unlabeled medications, medications prescribed to the close family members and medications indicated for office use. The tribunal found that this violated the college’s dispensing drugs policy, which stipulates that drugs must be stored securely.“His misconduct was systematic and sustained over the course of many years and began one year after he received his certificate of registration with the College. It was a flagrant disregard of College policies and the best interests of patients,” the tribunal wrote.In addition to the one-year suspension, Dr. Abu Kuwaik will be required to complete an ethics course and will be required to pay the college $6,000 in costs.

‘Flagrant disregard’: Pediatrician suspended 1 year for prescribing controlled substances to family

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