Bail for doctor charged with theft of childbirth painkiller

A doctor at the Gozo hospital has been released on bail this morning after he was charged with stealing supplies of a painkilling drug which is normally used by women during childbirth.

The non-Maltese doctor, who has practised medicine in Malta for over nine years, had been found in possession of several boxes of pethidine bearing a mark denoting that they were property of the Maltese government.

Pethidine is often prescribed by doctors for pain relief, particularly for women during labour. The drug was initially considered to be milder than morphine and less habit-forming or addictive as morphine, however this turned out to be wrong. It is frequently subject to abuse because of its short term, euphoric highs along with pain relief. The accused is claiming to have been taking the painkiller after suffering an accidental injury. 

Police Inspector Edel Mary Camilleri, who arraigned the medic before Magistrate Joanne Vella Cuschieri in the Court of Magistrates in Gozo, explained that the doctor had failed to give a satisfactory account as to how he had come into possession of the boxes.

He was charged with the simple theft of medicinal items, the purchase and possession of a scheduled drug without the necessary authorisation or permission and without evidence that it was for his personal use.

Lawyer Lucio Sciriha entered a not guilty plea on behalf of the doctor and requested bail. 

The court released the accused from arrest against a deposit of €1,000 and a €5,000 personal guarantee.