Doctor reprimanded after prescriptions feed addiction

An Edmonton doctor has been disciplined by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta after being found guilty of unbecoming conduct, the regulatory body announced Monday.

Family physician Dr. Jusli P. Jeh has been reprimanded for inappropriately prescribing narcotics and barbiturates to a patient over an extended period of time, failing to provide appropriate care and failing to adequately document some of the prescriptions in the patient’s medical record.

Jeh was found not guilty on five further charges, the college said in a news release.

The investigation and hearing stem from a complaint initiated under the Medical Profession Act, said Barb Krahn, the college’s communications adviser.

Between December 2002 and December 2008, Jeh treated a patient for headaches and stress with the drug Fiorinal.

According to the college, the lengthy treatment caused or contributed to the patient becoming dependent on the medication. Jeh also failed to conduct appropriate investigations, treatments or referrals, the college said.

He issued a triplicate prescription without making the required notation in the patient’s medical chart on numerous occasions.

Jeh knew the patient was obtaining the same drug from another doctor and “still prescribed the medication in quantities which contributed to symptoms of withdrawal and dependence,” the college said.

Jeh is now restricted from prescribing any triplicate prescription drugs until he completes a prescribing program.

The council also ordered Jeh complete a records-keeping course at his own expense. His prescribing of medications with abuse or addiction potential will also be monitored.

Jeh is responsible for 25 per cent of the cost of the college’s investigation and hearing, in the amount of $26,431.13.