Pubdate: Wed, 03 Jul 2013
Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013, The Belleville Intelligencer
Contact: http://www.intelligencer.ca/letters
Website: http://www.intelligencer.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332
Author: Jason Miller

COE HILL POT DOC RAPPED AGAIN

Ontario's physician watchdog has placed further medical-marijuana-related
restrictions on a Coe Hill physician already facing sanctions for
professional misconduct.

The additional string of reprimands, including being "prohibited from
prescribing, dispensing or administering cannabis," levied against Dr.
Rob Kamermans May 24, stem from Kamermans' involvement with medical
marijuana and is separate, though triggered by the clampdown on
activities at his Coe Hill practice.

"As you know, a number of allegations have been referred to ( The
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) discipline committee
relating to Dr. Kamermans' medical marijuana practices," said college
spokesperson Kathryn Clarke in an email.

College documents show that Kamermans is "prohibited from practising
in relation to cannabis, as it is defined by the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act."

Kamermans, 67 and his wife, Mary Kamermans, 65, are also facing
criminal charges, currently being addressed in a city court, for their
alleged Canada-wide involvement in the fraudulent endorsements of
medical marijuana declaration forms.

The criminal implications, arising from charges laid last summer, are
separate from the medical castigating launched by the college.

Following hearings in March, the college found Kamermans " committed
an act of professional misconduct," by failing to maintain the
standard of practice for 21 of the 25 patients reviewed. He was fined
$3,650 and hit with several sanctions including operating under strict
supervision for the next year. He has to seek a new supervisor or
cease practice if a college assigned preceptor ( supervisor) becomes
unavailable.

Kamermans had already been forced to practise under the supervision of
a clinical supervisor since May 2012. Following the one-year
probationary term Kamermans will undergo an assessment to determine if
enforced requirements have been met.

Kamermans was criminally charged August 2012 in relation to fraudulent
endorsements of medical marijuana declaration forms in Ontario, Nova
Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and British Columbia between January
2011 and April 2012, police say.
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