A father expressed alarm when his infant failed to wake up after a medical professional mistakenly administered oxycodone instead of paracetamol post circumcision. The incident occurred during a procedure conducted by Dr. Mohammad Sharier at the Gentle Procedures Clinic in Revesby, leading to the suspension of Dr. Sharier by the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal in Australia.
Following the surgery in March 2023, Dr. Sharier provided the father with what he believed was a Panadol dose but turned out to be oxycodone. After administering the substance to the infant, the father noticed the error when the baby remained unresponsive. Concerned, Dr. Sharier informed the father about the mix-up, mentioning that the child had been given oxycodone, prompting the parents to rush the baby to Liverpool Hospital.
To counter the effects of the opioids, two doses of Naloxone were administered. The father reported a brief phone conversation with Dr. Sharier, who advised monitoring the child for symptoms and returning to the clinic if the baby appeared drowsy. Subsequently, the parents sought advice from a midwife at Westmead Hospital, who recommended taking the baby to the nearest emergency department.
During the tribunal proceedings, it was revealed that Dr. Sharier’s response to the incident was deemed significantly inadequate. The tribunal noted lapses in Dr. Sharier’s handling of the situation, including medication error, lack of drug register, improper drug storage, and proximity of oxycodone to Panadol Children in the treatment room.
Consequently, Dr. Sharier was found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct, resulting in a six-month registration cancellation. Upon reinstatement, he will be subject to various conditions, such as regular audits and educational requirements. Additionally, he was fined $500 AUD (£243) for improper packaging of a poison and $2,000 AUD (£973) for failing to maintain a drug register and appropriate drug storage practices.
