Workers Party veteran Dr Tan Bin Seng struck off from Register of Medical Practitioners

April 22, 2009

GP struck off 2nd time

By Diana Othman
		The disciplinary committee of the SMC held an inquiry against Dr Tan Bin Seng (left) in August and March last year, and again in March this year, after which it decided to remove him from the Register. --PHOTO: ST

GENERAL practitioner Tan Bin Seng, 58, has been struck off the Medical Register for a second time after the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) found him guilty of over-prescribing benzodiazepines, a hypnotic drug.

GP is Woker's Party veteran Dr Tan Bin Seng is a Workers' Party (WP) veteran who first joined the party in 1985. He was its vice-chairman from 2003 to 2006. ... more

The disciplinary committee of the SMC held an inquiry against Dr Tan in August and March last year, and again in March this year, after which it decided to remove him from the Register of Medical Practitioners on April 13.

Dr Tan, who was practising at Occupational Health Clinic in Block 537 Bedok North Street 3, faced 21 charges of professional misconduct, all of which related to precription of bensodiazepines to 21 patients.

Benzodiazepines are drugs that may be prescribed for patients who have insomnia, or for the short-term relief of anxiety in patients.

Long-term use of benzodiazepines may lead to serious drug dependence, psychomotor impairment, tolerance and depression in patients.

Dr Tan was also accused of improper documentation of his patients' details, diagnosis, symptoms, conditions and management plans for these patients to justify the continued prescription of the medicine over the period of treatment, said SMC in a statement on Wednesday.

He also did not refer these patients to a medical specialist and psychiatrist.

He contested all 21 charges. The committee found him guilty of 20 counts and acquitted him of the remaining charge.

Dr Tan was previously convicted of seven charges of over-prescribing drugs and one charge of failing to keep proper records.

His name was struck off the Register in 1993 but restored in 1995 after he re-applied and assured the council that he would manage and treat his patients better.

Dr Tan could only apply for his name to be restored on the Register after at least three years from the date of being struck off.

He can only resume his practice if the application is approved by the council.

According to SMC, seven doctors were suspended in 2007 and 10 in 2008. Dr Tan's case is the first suspension this year thus far.

It added that the majority of such cases involved 'inappropriate drug prescribing', principally hypnotic drugs followed by Subutex.

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