Dr. Amir Khadir, a former spokesperson for Québec solidaire, pleaded guilty to 12 charges at a disciplinary hearing of the Collège des médecins. This admission took place on December 5, 2023, and he faces a potential suspension of 12 months.
Background of the Case
The charges against Dr. Khadir stemmed from his treatment of Lyme disease patients. He prescribed extended antibiotic therapy, violating his commitment made on June 8, 2020, to limit prescriptions to no more than 28 days. During the hearing, he acknowledged this breach, referring to it as a “judgment error.”
Details of the Hearing
While over 150 patients reportedly received long-term antibiotic treatment, the disciplinary board focused on the cases of 12 patients. Nathalie Vuille, the attorney for the Collège des médecins, raised concerns during the hearing. She asked Dr. Steven Lapointe, a representative from the medical college, if he believed there was a risk of Dr. Khadir repeating these actions.
Concerns about Future Behavior
- Dr. Lapointe expressed worry regarding Dr. Khadir’s willingness to follow established medical guidelines.
- He noted that Dr. Khadir spent time justifying his prior actions and showed no remorse.
- Dr. Lapointe remarked, “He makes his own rules,” indicating a troubling disregard for professional standards.
Previous Disciplinary History
Dr. Khadir does not have any prior disciplinary records. However, Dr. Lapointe revealed that a complaint almost arose in 2020 regarding his actions, which led to the commitment Dr. Khadir made to the Collège des médecins.
Implications of the Disciplinary Decision
The suggested 12-month suspension aims to convey a message to the medical community about the importance of adhering to professional standards. Dr. Lapointe highlighted that Lyme disease remains a controversial subject in medical practice.
Outcome and Future Actions
No patients directly complained against Dr. Khadir. The issues were brought to light following a professional inspection conducted on December 1, 2023. In June, Dr. Khadir defended himself against allegations of experimentation on patients in a statement, acknowledging delays in producing a clinical registry he had promised after a previous appearance before the council in 2019.
As the hearing progresses, he faces a range of potential sanctions, from reprimands to a full 12-month suspension as advised by the Collège des médecins.
