Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal gives Dr. Ghassan Abu Kuwaik a 12-month suspension for prescribing ‘large amounts of medication’ to close family members<\/p>\n
A Toronto pediatrician has been slapped with a 12-month suspension<\/a> for prescribing \u201clarge amounts of medication\u201d to close family members under his care \u2014 and amassing hundreds of pills at his home, including narcotics and other controlled substances.<\/p>\n Dr. Ghassan Abu Kuwaik, who treated patients at clinics in St. James Town and Vaughan, pleaded no contest to allegations of misconduct that were deemed to be \u201cdisgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional.\u201d<\/p>\n A search of the doctor\u2019s former residence uncovered two bags of medication that contained more than 1,300 improperly stored doses. The tablets and capsules included prescription stimulants, benzodiazepines and antidepressants, according to a joint statement of facts presented to a disciplinary panel.<\/p>\n \u201cDr. Abu Kuwaik\u2019s misconduct is serious,\u201d reads a ruling released last week<\/a> by the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal. \u201cHis lack of documentation and careless storage of large quantities of medications created risks for patients and others.\u201d<\/p>\n The doctor\u2019s actions were \u201csystematic and sustained over the course of many years,\u201d the tribunal concluded, and showed a \u201cflagrant disregard\u201d for the rules that prohibit Ontario medical professionals from treating family members.<\/p>\n Along with his clinical work, Abu Kuwaik also served as an adjunct lecturer in the University of Toronto\u2019s department of pediatrics. In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for U of T told TorontoToday he \u201cdoes not currently hold an appointment at the university.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked when Abu Kuwaik worked as a lecturer and for how long, the spokesperson replied: \u201cWe have nothing further to add.\u201d (His profile page on the university\u2019s website was removed<\/a> after TorontoToday\u2019s queries.)<\/p>\n Abu Kuwaik attended medical school at Himachal Pradesh University in India, graduating in 1993<\/a>. After immigrating to Canada, he was granted a certificate of registration<\/a> from the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons in July 2011.<\/p>\n