Controversy in Estonia over easy prescriptions for Finns
Two doctors ejected from medical association
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Two psychiatrists were thrown out of the Estonian Medical Association on Tuesday for prescribing psychoactive pharmaceuticals to Finnish visitors too freely. The two work at a psychiatric clinic located in the harbour area.
Another psychiatric clinic in Tallinn favoured by Finns was fined.
According to Üllar Kaljumäe, General Manager of Estonia's Health Care Board, doctors at a clinic called Kosmed have written 1,400 improper prescriptions, mainly to Finnish customers.
The Tallinn branch of the Estonian Medical Association decided to terminate the membership of two psychiatrists working at the Gradus Gravis clinic because of what was seen as unethical conduct. A third psychiatrist at the clinic is not a member of the association. The clinic operated normally on Tuesday.
The head of the clinic, Andre Ernesaks, was angered by the accusations. "In Finland you can't get treatment in five years", he said.
Ernesaks phoned psychiatrist Milvi Koplus, who had just read on the Internet of having been ejected from the association. One of the reasons for this was distributing prescriptions for the heroin withdrawal drug Subutex (buprenorphine) In 2003.
"The matter was investigated then as well. I had been operating according to the law." When Estonia changed its legislation, Koplus stopped writing prescriptions for Subutex.
Koplus, who prescribes psychopharmaceuticals for Finnish patients at the Gradus Gravis clinic, rejects the accusation.
"Doses for drug addicts need to be kept large so that they can improve their quality of life."
Estonia's central criminal police also note that the writing of prescriptions for Finns does not violate Estonian law.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 18.4.2007 - TODAY |
 Controversy in Estonia over easy prescriptions for Finns |
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