Anaesthetist who bored holes into fentanyl vials escapes ban
The Sydney doctor was self-medicating for back pain and stress, but has now recovered and is practising at a high level, says the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
A doctor who went to extreme lengths to steal fentanyl and morphine to self-treat his back pain and stress can keep practising under supervision, a tribunal has ruled.
The Sydney-based anaesthetist used an engraving tool to drill holes into opioid ampoules to extract the drugs for his own use.
He then refilled them with saline and sealed the hole with quick set and non-sterile glue, heard the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
In total the doctor was accused of tampering with 29 ampoules of fentanyl 500mcg/10ml, nine ampoules of 10mg/ml fentanyl and seven ampoules of morphine 10ml while working with CareFlight Rapid Response Helicopter.
