Doctor found guilty of illegally selling codeine—laced cough mixture

SINGAPORE: The doctor who was charged with illegally selling cough mixture laced with codeine was found guilty on Friday.

Forty—one—year—old Ho Thong Chew could be jailed up to two years and fined S$5,000 on each count.

The district judge has reserved sentencing.

Ho sold more than 800 canisters of the cough syrup to three of his patients.

Prosecution asked for between two and three months’ jail for each of the proceeded charges.

They argued Ho had abused his position as a medical practitioner, blatantly disregarding public safety and the law, to reap a profit of more than S$266,800.

However, Ho’s defence lawyer pointed out that Ho was pressured into committing the offences by cough mixture addicts, who drove his patients away.

Mr Choo added that Ho’s clinic, Focus Medical Group in Ang Mo Kio, has been struggling to make ends meet.

During the court session, Ho, whose clinic has now been shut down by the Health Ministry, was seen crying in the dock.

In a one—page letter, Ho expressed remorse and revealed he has a disabled daughter who needs "total care and money for the rest of her life".

The father—of—two added that he has been suffering from depression "for a long time".

Ho is expected back in court on July 20.

— CNA/cc