Dr Syed Adil Zafar – Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct – reprimand and conditions

18 Jun 2015

The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted Dr Syed Adil Zafar, a general practitioner, concerning his care of four patients at Bellambi Medical Centre. The complaint was heard by a Medical Professional Standards Committee on 12 and 13 May 2015. 
 
The Commission alleged that Dr Zafar inappropriately prescribed schedule 4D drugs to four patients over several years, some of whom were drug dependent.  The Commission alleged that for some or all of the prescriptions, the prescriptions were excessive, that he did not obtain adequate information from and about the patients prior to prescribing, and/or that he did not seek specialist advice with respect to the patients and his prescribing. On other occasions, Dr Zafar did not keep adequate records of his prescribing and assessments of patients.

Decision

On 10 June 2015, the Committee handed down its decision and found a majority of the allegations to be proved. The Committee found that many of the individual allegations amounted to Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct. The Committee reprimanded Dr Zafar and placed conditions on his registration, including that he:

• only practice in a group practice where there is at least one other medical practitioner
• treat no more than 180 patients per week and no more than 30 per day (on average) 
• establish a mentoring relationship 
• complete a General Practice prescribing course
• submit to an audit of his medical practice

The Committee strongly recommended, but did not order, that Dr Zafar practice with another practitioner not related to him. 

Further Information

The full decision is available at Austlii

For further information, contact the Executive Officer of the Health Care Complaints Commission, on 9219 7444 or send an email to media@hccc.nsw.gov.au.

The information in this media release is correct at the time of publication. Orders may change; for example, conditions may no longer apply. For current information regarding the status of a registered health practitioner, including any conditions that currently apply, please check the National Register at www.ahpra.gov.au.