Swedish doc supplied drugs in overdose deaths
A Swedish doctor has been reported to the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) after he prescribed massive amounts of drugs to three young adults, after which they to overdosed and died.
The police has reported the chief physiscian at a hospital in Värmland, in the northwest of Sweden, to the agency after they discovered that he had prescribed massive amounts of narcotic medication to three young adults between 18- and 19-years-old.
“They overdosed and died. The families later found large amounts of narcotics prescribed by the same doctor,” said local chief of police Rolf Sandberg to news agency TT.
During the preliminary investigations the police carried out raids against other young addicts in the area and found even more drugs originating with the same doctor.
“It is a remarkable case because it involves large quantities of drugs that have been prescribed to a large number of people and it has all originated with this doctor,” said Sandberg to daily Expressen.
According to Sandberg, the police feel that they can’t judge what is a reasonable prescription and have therefore asked the agency to look into the matter.
Meanwhile, the county council has suspended the doctor pending investigations.
“We take this very seriously. We have started an internal investigation, which will be conducted by the county chief medical officer. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but we don’t think this person should be working while the investigation is carried out,” said Gunilla Andersson, county head of hospitals and healthcare.
The National Board of Health and Welfare’s investigation will run parallel with the county’s, according to TT.
Comments
See Also
The police has reported the chief physiscian at a hospital in Värmland, in the northwest of Sweden, to the agency after they discovered that he had prescribed massive amounts of narcotic medication to three young adults between 18- and 19-years-old.
“They overdosed and died. The families later found large amounts of narcotics prescribed by the same doctor,” said local chief of police Rolf Sandberg to news agency TT.
During the preliminary investigations the police carried out raids against other young addicts in the area and found even more drugs originating with the same doctor.
“It is a remarkable case because it involves large quantities of drugs that have been prescribed to a large number of people and it has all originated with this doctor,” said Sandberg to daily Expressen.
According to Sandberg, the police feel that they can’t judge what is a reasonable prescription and have therefore asked the agency to look into the matter.
Meanwhile, the county council has suspended the doctor pending investigations.
“We take this very seriously. We have started an internal investigation, which will be conducted by the county chief medical officer. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but we don’t think this person should be working while the investigation is carried out,” said Gunilla Andersson, county head of hospitals and healthcare.
The National Board of Health and Welfare’s investigation will run parallel with the county’s, according to TT.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.