ICAC: Queen Elizabeth Hospital doctor prescribes excessive cough syrup & psychiatric medicine, faces MIPO and theft charges
2022-11-3
An Associate Consultant of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) was charged by the ICAC yesterday (November 2) with misconduct in public office (MIPO) for allegedly prescribing over 1,000 bottles of cough syrup and over 400 tablets of psychiatric medication to his family members and patients between 2015 and 2020 for his own use and retention. He also faces charges of theft for allegedly stealing those medicines from QEH. The case will be brought to the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (November 4) for mention.
Lee Chi-leung, 47, faces two counts of MIPO, contrary to the Common Law; and two counts of theft, contrary to Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.
The alleged offences took place between March 2015 and September 2020. At the material time, the defendant was an Associate Consultant posted to the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat of the QEH under the Hospital Authority (HA).
It is alleged that the defendant willfully and intentionally misconducted himself in the course of or in relation to his public office, without reasonable excuse or justification, by making medical consultant appointments for eight patients without their knowledge, and prescribing two controlled drugs to them without conducting any medical consultation. As a result, QEH staff were induced to dispense the medicines to the defendant, who kept them for his personal retention.
ICAC investigation revealed that the eight patients concerned were six family members and two domestic helpers of the defendant. The medicines were a cough syrup and a tablet for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which were controlled drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
It is also alleged that the defendant prescribed the two medicines to three other patients with excessive dosage and requested the trio to return the over-prescribed medicines to him for his personal retention.
During the period, the defendant allegedly stole from the HA the abovementioned over 1,000 bottles of cough syrup and over 400 tablets for the treatment of ADHD, worth approximately $15,000 in total.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HA, which rendered full assistance to the Commission during its investigation into the case. Upon completion of investigation, legal advice was sought from the Department of Justice. The defendant was charged pursuant to the legal advice.
An ICAC spokesperson noted that the Commission attaches great importance to integrity of public officials and does not tolerate any corrupt practices. The ICAC will continue to enhance integrity training for the public sector to fortify the probity culture.
Lee Chi-leung, 47, faces two counts of MIPO, contrary to the Common Law; and two counts of theft, contrary to Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.
The alleged offences took place between March 2015 and September 2020. At the material time, the defendant was an Associate Consultant posted to the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat of the QEH under the Hospital Authority (HA).
It is alleged that the defendant willfully and intentionally misconducted himself in the course of or in relation to his public office, without reasonable excuse or justification, by making medical consultant appointments for eight patients without their knowledge, and prescribing two controlled drugs to them without conducting any medical consultation. As a result, QEH staff were induced to dispense the medicines to the defendant, who kept them for his personal retention.
ICAC investigation revealed that the eight patients concerned were six family members and two domestic helpers of the defendant. The medicines were a cough syrup and a tablet for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which were controlled drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
It is also alleged that the defendant prescribed the two medicines to three other patients with excessive dosage and requested the trio to return the over-prescribed medicines to him for his personal retention.
During the period, the defendant allegedly stole from the HA the abovementioned over 1,000 bottles of cough syrup and over 400 tablets for the treatment of ADHD, worth approximately $15,000 in total.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HA, which rendered full assistance to the Commission during its investigation into the case. Upon completion of investigation, legal advice was sought from the Department of Justice. The defendant was charged pursuant to the legal advice.
An ICAC spokesperson noted that the Commission attaches great importance to integrity of public officials and does not tolerate any corrupt practices. The ICAC will continue to enhance integrity training for the public sector to fortify the probity culture.