A father expressed concern when his infant failed to awaken after a medical mishap where a physician inadvertently administered oxycodone instead of paracetamol following a circumcision procedure.
Doctor Mohammad Sharier faced suspension by Australia’s New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal after the incident in March 2023. The tribunal revealed that Dr. Sharier conducted the surgery at his Gentle Procedures Clinic in Revesby and mistakenly gave the father a 0.5ml dosage of what he believed to be Panadol.
Subsequently, the father administered the substance to his son using a syringe. Approximately an hour later, Dr. Sharier discovered that the substance was oxycodone.
During the tribunal proceedings, it was disclosed that Dr. Sharier expressed concern to the father about potentially giving the child an inappropriate dose of medication. The infant then became unresponsive, prompting the parents to rush him to Liverpool Hospital.
In an effort to counteract the effects of the opioids, two doses of Naloxone were administered. The father recounted a brief phone call with Dr. Sharier, who advised them to monitor the child for symptoms and return to the clinic if he appeared drowsy.
The father narrated that the conversation with Dr. Sharier lasted only two minutes and that the doctor seemed composed throughout. Following advice from a midwife at Westmead Hospital, the parents were instructed to take the baby to the nearest emergency department.
According to the tribunal decision, attempts to reach Dr. Sharier were unsuccessful as they headed to the hospital. However, the doctor eventually informed the mother via text that the infant had received oxycodone instead of the intended medication.
The tribunal panel concluded that Dr. Sharier’s handling of the situation on the day of the procedure was severely inadequate. Dr. Sharier was found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct and had his registration suspended for six months. After this period, he will be subject to stringent conditions, including regular audits and educational mandates.
Additionally, Dr. Sharier was fined $500 AUD (£243) for supplying a poison not compliant with proper packaging regulations and $2,000 AUD (£973) for failing to maintain a drug register and inappropriate storage of controlled substances.