GP charged with causing death of patient through cancer medicine prescription

SINGAPORE — A 75-year-old general practitioner is facing a criminal charge of causing the death of his patient by a rash act in November 2014.

Haridass Ramdass, who practises in Tekka Clinic Surgery along Chander Road in Little India, allegedly prescribed 10 tablets of methotrexate — a chemotherapy agent and immune system suppressant — to Savarimuthu Arul Xavier without first arranging for him to undergo the necessary tests.

According to court documents, the dosage was also not in line with the established guidelines. 

The veteran doctor of 40 years is also accused of giving Savarimuthu an injection of dexamethasone, which is an anti-inflammatory steroid.

Haridass also allegedly prescribed 10 tablets of prednisolone, similarly used to treat inflammation, and 10 tablets of chlorpheniramine — an antihistamine — to Savarimuthu.

This is said to have caused Savarimuthu to develop neutropenia and mucositis, leading to a fatal invasive fungal infection.

Neutropenia occurs when a person lacks a certain type of white blood cell, which help to fight infections. 

Mucositis happens when a person’s mouth or gut becomes sore and inflamed — a common side effect of chemotherapy for cancer.

Court documents did not state what Haridass was treating Savarimuthu for, or when the latter died. 

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The doctor was first charged in the State Courts on Oct 4, and will return to court on Oct 29 for a pre-trial conference. He remains out on bail of S$10,000.

If convicted of causing death by a rash act, he could be jailed for up to five years, fined or both.