A DOCTOR who was accused of grossly over-prescribing powerful tranquillisers to 86 patients has been found guilty on seven counts of professional misconduct.
Cork-based GP Dr Iwona Kulczyk faced 15 allegations over the supply of large doses of Rohypnol, Xanax and other opiate-based drugs to patients at her former practice on Penrose Wharf in Cork city centre.
During the four-day fitness-to-practise inquiry, Dr Kulczyk, from Poland, claimed she was threatened and intimidated into issuing prescriptions but she agreed that her behaviour had amounted to poor professional performance.
The Irish Medical Council committee found that her behaviour had amounted to professional misconduct on seven of the 15 allegations, with a further seven counts of poor professional performance. A final allegation was struck out during the hearing.
Following the verdict, the committee directed that Dr Kulczyk’s practice be supervised for two years and that she report to the medical council on a regular basis.
She broke down in tears yesterday when it was announced that she would not be struck off the medical register. Dr Kulczyk said the entire process had weighed heavily on her but said she was very happy with the outcome.
“It was a very complicated situation, but I am very happy now and I hope everything will be okay for the future,” she said.
The committee ruled that while the nature of the allegations against Dr Kulczyk was very serious, her actions were not morally wrong and there had been no further evidence of over-prescription of drugs since.
“These allegations are of a very serious nature and warranted consideration of suspension, but her conduct was not of moral turpitude and there has been no further occurrence of over-prescribing since,” committee chairman Dr Richard Brennan said.
As a result, Dr Kulczyk was granted leave to continue her practice (now based in Cloyne, east Cork) but with a number of conditions.
These include the nomination of a medical professional, approved by the Irish Medical Council, to supervise her work for a minimum of two years, effective immediately.
Together with her supervisor, Dr Kulczyk must provide a professional order plan to guide her in the prescribing of benzodiazepines, the management of patients with addictions and to establish an approved system of clinical records. She must also familiarise herself further with the pathways of the Irish healthcare system and must cover the full cost of implementing the committee’s conditions, the committee ruled.
Dr Kulczyk welcomed the measures, specifically the recommendation that she will work closely with a supervisor nominated by the medical council.
“This is the perfect way for me to find out about the rules and all the things I need to do,” she said.
On behalf of the Irish Medical Council, Dr Brennan issued a stark warning to GPs around the State not to prescribe tranquillisers to patients unknown to them.