DISCIPLINE SUMMARIES
• D
r. Cameron had a tendency to prescribe narcotics
at doses well in excess of those recommended in the
relevant clinical guidelines, for chronic pain, over
many years, with few physical exams or other evalu-
ations of the patient’s pain or function;
• D
r. Cameron demonstrated questionable and at
times very poor judgment in continuing to pre-
scribe large doses of narcotics to patients who had
repeatedly demonstrated aberrant behaviour, often
at appointments over a period of years, and was too
accepting of patients’ often questionable explana-
tions for lost, stolen or damaged narcotics;
• D
r. Cameron failed to regularly conduct opioid risk
assessments, implement narcotics contracts and/or
conduct urine drug screening to address repeated
aberrant behaviour;
• I n respect of at least six patients, Dr. Cameron
failed to refer patients to specialists, including pain
and/or addiction specialists, where indicated;
• I n respect of at least seven patients, Dr. Cameron
failed to react to information from third parties
about potential opioid abuse or to follow the advice
of consultants who suggested decreasing or discon-
tinuing opioid medications;
• D
r. Cameron continued to prescribe high doses of
narcotics to patients who may have sustained ac-
cidents or injuries due to these prescriptions;
• D
r. Cameron prescribed benzodiazepines to pa-
tients to whom he was also prescribing high doses
of narcotics;
• I n respect of at least four patients, Dr. Cameron
regularly prescribed narcotics to patients also pre-
scribed methadone for addiction without appropri-
ate consultation with the methadone prescriber.
UNDERTAKING
On March 9, 2018, Dr. Cameron entered into an un-
dertaking with the College, whereby he undertook to
resign from the College, effective April 30, 2018 and
not to apply or re-apply for registration to practise
medicine in Ontario or any other jurisdiction after
the effective date.
50
DIALOGUE ISSUE 4, 2018
ORDER
In light of the undertaking, the Discipline Commit-
tee ordered a reprimand and payment for costs to the
College in the amount of $10,180.00
For complete details, please see the full decision at
www.cpso.on.ca. Select Find a Doctor and enter the
doctor’s name.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Dr. Cameron waived
his right to an appeal and the Committee administered
the public reprimand.
DR. RICHARD KOK TIONG CHAN
PRACTICE LOCATION: London
AREA OF PRACTICE: Neurology
HEARING INFORMATION: Admission; Agreed Statement of
Facts; Joint Submission on Penalty
On April 23, 2018, the Discipline Committee found
that Dr. Chan committed an act of professional
misconduct, in that he engaged in conduct or an act
or omission relevant to the practice of medicine that,
having regard to all of the circumstances, would rea-
sonably be regarded by members as unprofessional.
Dr. Chan is a neurologist with the Department of
Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sci-
ences Centre.
Between 2011 and 2015, Dr. Chan, on numerous
occasions, prescribed Fentanyl patches to his rela-
tive (Relative 1) who lives abroad. On each of these
prescriptions, the ID of the relative was her pass-
port number and the address was Dr. Chan’s home
address. Dr. Chan prescribed to another relative
(Relative 2) who also lives abroad. In July 18, 2014,
this relative filled a prescription, which was written
by Dr. Chan, for 150 tabs of hydromorphone. The
prescription bore this relative’s passport number, and
indicated her address to be Dr. Chan’s home address.
Dr. Chan went personally to the drug store himself
to have each of the prescriptions he wrote for both of
his relatives filled. The Fentanyl patches he prescribed to
Relative 1 and the hydromorphone tabs he prescribed
to Relative 2 were provided to him by the pharmacy.