Slimming doctor admits misconduct

Dr Raizada prescribed from the boot of his car

A doctor whose travelling clinic sold powerful anti-obesity pills to healthy women and men, has now admitted over 100 allegations before a disciplinary committee.

The 'Look Right' clinic based at Chester's hairdressers, 23 Lovely Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, routinely prescribed Duramine tablets to patients who read advertisements in newspapers.

The clinic, run by Dr Sudesh Madan, 52, a child health specialist from Prescot on Merseyside, also held consultations at a hotel and hair and beauty salons in Blackburn, Rhyl and Chester.

After hearing expert evidence brought by the General Medical Council (GMC), she admitted the more serious professional conduct charges which involved prescribing irresponsibly and against the interests of patients.

Dr Madan admitted 100 allegations

Dr Madan's husband, GP, Dr Surendra Raizada, 54, had already admitted prescribing Duramine, once from the boot of his car to a 15-year-old girl.

Both doctors decided on Monday not to give evidence at the central London hearing.

Mr Dafydd Enoch, representing the council, announced: "The important parts of the council's case have now been admitted."

The hearing was adjourned until Wednesday when lawyers for the GMC and the doctors will make closing speeches before the committee retires to consider professional misconduct.

The clinic took bookings from patients eager to lose weight and Dr Madan admits simply selling Duramine tablets, a last resort medication for obese people, without an initial three-month treatment plan.

'Quick sell'

The GMC claims the clinic was structured to simply sell as many pills as possible.

Consultation rooms were often inappropriate, based at beauty parlours or rented hotel rooms.

Within a few minutes of meeting Dr Madan, patients were given their prescriptions, even though not fulfilling the official medical criteria of obesity.

Often, customers were young women simply looking to lose a few pounds before going on holiday, with little medical history being taken, the hearing was told.

On two occasions Dr Raizada, who has little experience in treating obesity, ran the clinics.