The Ministry of Health (MOH) has revoked Prudence Family Clinic Pte Ltd’s licence, with effect from 24 January 2025, to provide outpatient medical services granted under the Healthcare Services Act 2020 (HCSA).
2. Prudence Family Clinic Pte Ltd holds a licence under the HCSA to provide outpatient medical services under the business name of Prudence Family Clinic. With the revocation of its licence, effective from 24 January 2025, Prudence Family Clinic Pte Ltd will not be able to offer any healthcare services via the following platforms:
a. At its permanent premises, i.e. Prudence Family Clinic located at 512 Bishan Street 13 #01-524;
b. At temporary premises (e.g. treating patients at their residences); and
c. Remotely via providing teleconsultation services.
3. MOH had on 20 December 2024 issued a notice to Prudence Family Clinic Pte Ltd regarding the intended revocation of its licence. Prudence Family Clinic Pte Ltd was given the opportunity to submit representations in respect of the intended revocation, but they did not do so.
4. Based on findings from MOH’s investigations, Prudence Family Clinic Pte Ltd has contravened the conditions of its licence under the HCSA, specifically in relation to the prescription and supply of codeine cough preparations, benzodiazepines and other hypnotics on numerous occasions, including:
a. Failing to properly document and maintain the patient health records of patients prescribed with codeine cough preparations, benzodiazepines and/or other hypnotics;
b. Failing to ensure that its doctors supply codeine cough preparation within the prescribed limits;
c. Failing to ensure that its doctors avoid concurrent prescribing of two or more benzodiazepines or other hypnotics to their patients; and
d. Failing to ensure that its doctors refer patients, who require or have been prescribed benzodiazepines or other hypnotics beyond a cumulative period of eight weeks, to appropriate specialist(s) for further management.
5. The numerous contraventions of the conditions of its licence over the course of less than a year demonstrate a lack of effective internal oversight, controls and governance by Prudence Family Clinic Pte Ltd. In view of these, MOH has assessed that Prudence Family Clinic Pte Ltd is no longer able to provide outpatient medical services in a manner that is clinically safe and ethically appropriate. Correspondingly, all its related accreditations and/or participation in Healthier SG, as well as MOH’s financial schemes, including Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) and MediSave, will cease.
6. In addition, the two practising doctors of Prudence Family Clinic Pte Ltd who were involved in the errant prescribing practices have been referred to the Health Sciences Authority for investigations into possible contraventions of the Health Products Act 2007. They will also be referred to the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) for inquiries into potential breaches of SMC’s Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines and the National Guidelines on Safe Prescribing of Opioids.
7. MOH has instructed Prudence Family Clinic Pte Ltd to inform all affected patients, to ensure continuity of care. Affected patients may wish to visit other nearby CHAS-accredited, MediSave-accredited or Healthier SG clinics instead.
8. MOH will continue to monitor licensed providers of outpatient medical services that prescribe and supply codeine cough preparations, benzodiazepines and other hypnotics to ensure that the consultations are conducted in compliance with prevailing regulatory requirements. We will not hesitate to take appropriate regulatory action should non-compliances be found.
9. MOH reminds all licensees granted approval under the HCSA to comply with their licensing obligations, the applicable regulations, and conditions of their licences and licensing-related approvals.
