Doctor Ordered to Temporarily Stop Prescribing Antibiotics & Antifungal Medication to Children After Various Complaints by Specialists

By
Shawn Ambrose
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Whenever we visit a doctor, there are a few things we always expect:

  1. That they’ll wear something white
  2. That they’ll have the handwriting of a toddler
  3. That they’ll know what they’re doing

If we’re wrong about the first two, not much harm will befall us, so it’s nothing to worry about.

But if the third is untrue, it can potentially adversely affect patients. And if a group of doctors complains about your practices, you might be subjected to an investigation.

Doctor Ordered to Temporarily Stop Prescribing Antibiotics & Antifungal Medication to Children After Various Complaints by Specialists

A general practitioner has been ordered to temporarily cease prescribing, recommending, or administering antibiotics and antifungal medications to children following complaints from four hospital specialists.

The doctor, Dr Erwin Kay Aih Boon, works at a private practice at Healthwerkz Medical Centre.

The order came from the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) after it received complaints from four paediatricians who were concerned about Dr Kay’s management of children with autism.

Dr Kay had prescribed Vancomycin, an antibiotic, and Fluconazole, an antifungal medication to his young patients with autism.

The four complainants believe that this treatment was not only unnecessary but could cause harm as well, adding that there was no evidence to support the treatment.

Investigations revealed that that at least three children with autism treated by Dr Kay had been prescribed antibiotics and antifungal medications.

Two of them – aged three and five – were given both medications.

Now, he will not be permitted to “recommend, prescribe or administer” these drugs to children aged seven and under for the next 18 months.

Treatment Could Have “Serious Adverse Effects”

The SMC said this treatment is not recommended for pre-school children with autism because of a lack of evidence for its efficacy, and the potential for “serious adverse effects”.

This includes the “indiscriminate use of antibiotics”, which as we all know by now, can lead to antibiotics-resistant bacteria.

Moreover, chronic use of anti-fungal therapy is associated with hepatotoxicity and exfoliative dermatitis, the SMC said.

A complaint committee is now investigating the matter, and if the allegations are found to be true, the case could be referred to a disciplinary tribunal.

Dr Kay’s Response

Dr Kay defended himself, saying he wasn’t treating his patients’ autism, but their other medical conditions, such as gastrointestinal issues and yeast infections.

In one instance, where a mother brought her child to Dr Kay because he had eczema, constipation, and behavioural issues, among other things, Dr Kay suspected it was a yeast infections, as he also displayed inappropriate laughing, giggling, inattention, high pitched squealing, and had sugar cravings.

He said he had explained the risks of both medications to the boy’s parents, which were understood by the parents.

The boy’s condition “improved notably” he said.

Dr Kay maintains that his treatment was “supported by scientific evidence and safe”, and according to the “best practices” he learnt from his training.

He believes he has not put any of his child patients at risk of harm. It remains to be seen if the doctor will face disciplinary action.

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Shawn Ambrose
Email: [email protected]