Doctor's Battle: Addiction Care vs. Regulator

Dr. Simon Rose, an advocate for a holistic approach to addiction treatment, faced significant scrutiny from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). His early work in Melbourne established a no-frills clinic, inspired by philanthropist Peter White, which helped numerous patients overcome heroin addiction. Rose was also instrumental in advocating for drug courts, treating addiction as a medical rather than criminal issue.

Concerns arose from Rose's remote treatment of long-term addiction patients, particularly regarding benzodiazepine prescriptions. AHPRA's initial assessment deemed his prescribing dangerous, leading to the suspension of his medical registration. However, a tribunal later questioned these concerns, finding the public safety risk less significant than alleged and attributing a patient's relapse to distress rather than medication.

Despite administrative failures like a lack of clinical notes, Rose's practice in rural and remote areas was deemed vital. The tribunal lifted an interim ban on his outback work, recognizing his crucial role in underserved communities. AHPRA's investigation into other aspects of his practice, including telehealth and nicotine vape prescriptions, remains ongoing, with an independent expert report indicating safe prescribing practices in most cases.