Then doctor of Queen Elizabeth Hospital charged by ICAC guilty of MIPO for prescribing excessive controlled drugs for personal use
2026-3-6
A then Associate Consultant of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), charged by the ICAC, was today (March 6) convicted at the District Court of misconduct in public office (MIPO) for excessively prescribing controlled drugs to his family members and patients on various occasions and misappropriating them for personal use over a span of five and a half years.
Lee Chi-leung, 50, was found guilty after trial of two counts of MIPO, contrary to the Common Law.
In convicting the defendant, Judge Mr Josiah Lam Wai-kuen remarked that the defendant prescribed the medication for his own purposes, but not for those with medical needs. His acts were dangerous and violated the professional ethics and responsibilities of a medical practitioner, and abused the resources of the Hospital Authority (HA).
The Judge adjourned the case to May 15 for further mitigation, pending background report, community service order report and urine drug test of the defendant. The defendant was granted bail.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was an Associate Consultant posted to the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat of the QEH under the HA, responsible for diagnosing and treating patients, and prescribing medications where necessary. The defendant had to comply with the code of conduct and other relevant regulations of the HA, and was not allowed to use supplies of the HA and draw drugs without authorisation.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HA. ICAC investigation revealed that between March 2015 and September 2020, the defendant made medical consultant appointments on over 100 occasions, using the identities of seven people including his parents, wife, children and domestic helper without their knowledge. Through those fictitious appointments, the defendant prescribed more than a thousand doses of cough syrup and psychiatric medication for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which are controlled drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and misappropriated those drugs for personal use after collecting them from hospital staff.
Meanwhile, the defendant prescribed excessive doses of cough syrup to two other patients, and asked the duo to return the excess prescription of cough syrup for his personal use.
The HA rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutors Chan Sze-yan and Timothy Chen, assisted by ICAC officer Daniel Yun.
An ICAC spokesperson noted that, in close collaboration with public bodies and through education and publicity, the ICAC reminds public servants to uphold a high standard of integrity and never abuse their official capacity in a way that undermines public expectations and trust.
Lee Chi-leung, 50, was found guilty after trial of two counts of MIPO, contrary to the Common Law.
In convicting the defendant, Judge Mr Josiah Lam Wai-kuen remarked that the defendant prescribed the medication for his own purposes, but not for those with medical needs. His acts were dangerous and violated the professional ethics and responsibilities of a medical practitioner, and abused the resources of the Hospital Authority (HA).
The Judge adjourned the case to May 15 for further mitigation, pending background report, community service order report and urine drug test of the defendant. The defendant was granted bail.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was an Associate Consultant posted to the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat of the QEH under the HA, responsible for diagnosing and treating patients, and prescribing medications where necessary. The defendant had to comply with the code of conduct and other relevant regulations of the HA, and was not allowed to use supplies of the HA and draw drugs without authorisation.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HA. ICAC investigation revealed that between March 2015 and September 2020, the defendant made medical consultant appointments on over 100 occasions, using the identities of seven people including his parents, wife, children and domestic helper without their knowledge. Through those fictitious appointments, the defendant prescribed more than a thousand doses of cough syrup and psychiatric medication for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which are controlled drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and misappropriated those drugs for personal use after collecting them from hospital staff.
Meanwhile, the defendant prescribed excessive doses of cough syrup to two other patients, and asked the duo to return the excess prescription of cough syrup for his personal use.
The HA rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutors Chan Sze-yan and Timothy Chen, assisted by ICAC officer Daniel Yun.
An ICAC spokesperson noted that, in close collaboration with public bodies and through education and publicity, the ICAC reminds public servants to uphold a high standard of integrity and never abuse their official capacity in a way that undermines public expectations and trust.