Doctor Prosecuted for Administering Propofol 485 Times Over 3 Years, Leading to Patient's Death from Insomnia Treatment

(Taipei, April 13 — Reporter Hsieh Chun-lin) A physician surnamed Liu from a clinic in Taipei City is accused of repeatedly administering the anesthetic drug propofol to a female patient with chronic insomnia over an extended period. The patient received 485 injections over three years and ultimately died. Today, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted Liu on suspicion of causing death by negligence.

According to the indictment, Liu knew that propofol is a Class IV controlled substance under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, approved solely for use as an anesthetic. Controlled substances have specific indications, and physicians must not misuse them in medical practice, especially in ways that could lead to patient addiction or dependency.

Despite knowing that the female patient, surnamed Lu, sought treatment for severe sleep disorders, Liu failed to act in her best medical interest. Instead, for the purpose of earning high fees, he repeatedly and frequently administered 'Fancofol 1% Injection,' a controlled substance containing propofol, 485 times between March 15, 2018, and January 22, 2021, without adhering to medical protocols or fulfilling necessary medical duties of care.

The repeated and high-frequency injections led to both physiological and psychological dependence and addiction in Lu. Liu continued administering the drug to alleviate her withdrawal symptoms.

On September 2, 2021, around 10:00 a.m., Lu visited a clinic in New Taipei City, where a physician surnamed Hsin administered intravenous propofol anesthesia. While under sedation for a scar-removal laser procedure, she experienced hypoxia and bradycardia around 11:00 a.m. CPR was performed, and she was transported to a hospital by ambulance but died on September 30 of the same year.

Following an autopsy conducted jointly by prosecutors and forensic experts from New Taipei District Prosecutors Office, Lu's cause of death was determined to be hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy caused by propofol sedation, followed by prolonged hospitalization leading to cerebral edema, pneumonia, bacteremia, and septic emboli.

After Lu's family filed a complaint, Hsin was investigated for causing death by negligence but was ultimately not prosecuted. In contrast, prosecutors in Taipei concluded that Liu had sufficient grounds for suspicion of causing death by negligence and indicted him today.

Prosecutors argue that Liu's long-term, high-frequency, and repeated misuse of propofol for treatment cannot be considered legitimate medical practice. His actions led to the patient's physical and psychological dependence, forcing her to seek repeated injections under various pretexts, ultimately resulting in her death. His violation of medical standards bears a direct causal relationship to the patient's death, and the charges are deemed substantiated. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150713