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【Project Team / Taipei Report】
In Taiwan’s medical circles, rumors have circulated about doctors prescribing "American miracle drugs"—steroids—to treat minor illnesses in pursuit of popularity and quick results. Now, these claims have been confirmed. A whistleblower has accused Gao Bosen ENT Clinic in Sanchong, New Taipei City, a highly popular clinic with a large patient base, of not only overusing steroids to treat colds but also fabricating drug names to conceal steroid prescriptions, making it difficult for patients to trace. Two Apple Daily reporters posing as patients easily obtained steroids during their investigation. Lian Ruimeng, chairman of the Taiwan Pharmacists Association, condemned the practice, stating, "Doctors prioritizing profit over patient safety is downright outrageous!"
Huang Limin, director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at National Taiwan University Hospital, noted that some clinics favor steroids because they can quickly alleviate inflammation. "However, steroids interfere with the immune system, making viral infections harder to treat. This is not medically encouraged." Ho Yi-cheng, deputy superintendent of Rongxin Hospital and a family medicine specialist, explained that steroids are meant for autoimmune diseases, asthma, and allergies due to their anti-inflammatory effects. However, they weaken immunity, increase infection risks, and long-term use can lead to Cushing’s syndrome, characterized by moon face, buffalo hump, and central obesity. Taiwan has even seen cases of hip joint necrosis from prolonged steroid use.
The accused Gao Bosen ENT Clinic, located on Zhengyi North Road in Sanchong, is run by Dr. Gao Bosen (38), specializing in sinusitis and allergic rhinitis but primarily treating colds. The clinic is extremely busy, handling 8,000 National Health Insurance claims monthly, with patients often queuing outside. One mother praised, "Their medical skills are excellent, and they have many patients!" Another patient waited three and a half hours, remarking, "A famous doctor is worth the wait."
**"Disguised Drug Names" Hard to Verify**
The whistleblower, claiming to be a former employee, provided over 50 patient records on March 17, alleging the clinic prescribed steroids even to infants as young as two months old for colds. An internal drug name comparison table revealed the clinic used expectorants or invented names to mask steroids. Reporters verified that most patients with colds received steroids under fabricated names.
Late last month, two Apple Daily reporters visited the clinic posing as patients. Among many pediatric cases, they complained of sore throat and nasal congestion. The attending physician diagnosed one with a cold-induced allergy and the other with a mild cold. After throat and nasal steam treatments, they were given prescriptions to fill at the clinic’s "Xiang Shang" pharmacy.
**SGS Test Confirmed Steroids: Prednisolone**
Source: SGS Taiwan
**Gao: "If We Were Bad, No One Would Come"**
The bustling Gao Bosen ENT Clinic sees patients lining up daily.
Upon checking the prescriptions, reporters found drugs labeled "DECRYXIN" and "IPON" matched the comparison table’s steroids Dexamethasone and Prednisolone. When pharmacist Xu Zhichang was asked about the medications, he listed "expectorants, painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and cough medicine." The next day, when asked if the drugs contained steroids, Xu denied it.
The reporters sent the unopened medications to SGS for testing, confirming the pink round tablets were Dexamethasone and the light blue ones were Prednisolone.Gao Bosen visited Apple Daily yesterday to respond to the matter. He did not deny prescribing steroids to patients with colds but emphasized that not every patient receives them, stating, "Some of our doctors are more lax!" He also suggested that pharmacies might have mistaken the expectorant listed on the prescription for steroids. He claimed this was a malicious tactic by competitors, saying, "If I were a bad doctor, no one would come to me!"
Lian Ruimeng, chairman of the National Union of Pharmacists Associations, stated, "Pharmacists should not deceive patients." If steroids were clearly prescribed but the pharmacist lied about their absence, the case could be referred to the Pharmacist Disciplinary Committee, with the most severe penalty being revocation of the pharmacist’s license. Additionally, clinics failing to label medication information violate the Physician Act and the Medical Care Act, with fines of up to NT$100,000.
**Weakened Immunity—Even a 2-Month-Old Affected**
**Excessive Use Could Lead to License Revocation and Closure**
Shi Chongliang, director of the Department of Medical Affairs at the Department of Health, said steroids are not banned, and doctors cannot be prohibited from prescribing them. However, indiscriminate steroid use for all patients "does raise concerns of overuse," though each case must be evaluated individually. Under the Physician Act, if unnecessary excessive medication or treatment is involved, the case can be referred for disciplinary action by the medical association or authorities, with the most severe penalties being suspension of practice and license revocation.
**Gao Bosen, 38**
**Current Positions:** Director of Gao Bosen ENT Clinic, Physician at KingNet National Network Hospital
**Clinic Address:** No. 191, Zhengyi North Road, Sanchong City, Taipei County
**Education and Experience:**
- Bachelor of Medicine, National Taiwan University
- Attending Physician, ENT Department, Cathay General Hospital
- Advanced Training in ENT, University of Michigan, USA
- Advanced Training in Endoscopic Nasal Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, USA
- Ear Surgery Researcher, ENT Department, National Taiwan University
- Online Consultant, Taipei Radio Station
**Marital Status:** Married
**Source:** Gao Bosen ENT Clinic
**What You Should Know**
**Long-Term Steroid Use Can Cause "Moon Face"**
Steroids, commonly known as the "American Miracle Drug," are highly effective in treating conditions like endocrine disorders, skin diseases, allergies, and asthma. Oral steroids are often used to reduce inflammation and manage severe asthma attacks.
Family physician He Yicheng explained that taking steroids may lower a patient’s resistance to infections and mask infection symptoms. Long-term use can lead to side effects such as osteoporosis, moon face, buffalo hump, and stunted growth in children. Stopping abruptly after more than seven days of use can cause issues like dangerously low blood pressure—dosage must be tapered gradually.
**Masking Symptoms—"Thinking the Illness is Cured"**
**Peer Opinions**
Is steroid treatment necessary for common colds? Lian Ruimeng bluntly called it "using a cannon to kill a sparrow!" Colds require time to heal, and doctors prescribing steroids for quick results "harm patients in the long run." Lin Yingran, executive director of the Pediatric Medical Association, also believes steroids mask cold symptoms and increase infection risks, misleading patients into thinking they’re cured. "If they keep taking them this way, other clinics’ treatments won’t work later!"
The myth of steroids as a quick fix stems from their reputation as the "American Miracle Drug" and so-called "miracle doctor" fame. He emphasized that steroids are not inherently bad but "should never be the first-line treatment."
Lin Yingran stated that common colds do not require steroids. Doctors who indiscriminately prescribe them may lack a clear understanding of the illness. Moreover, steroids create a false impression of miraculous efficacy, boosting clinic business while leaving doctors with less time for proper diagnosis.
An anonymous internal medicine physician admitted that while working at a clinic, he was pressured to prescribe steroids for colds. "But I didn’t dare tell patients—they’d panic, thinking I was giving them poison!" He explained that despite steroids being called the "American Miracle Drug," patients often fear their side effects. While he understood the rationale for withholding the truth, he did not support the practice.Project Team
Patient Medication Guidelines
• Verify that the name, age, and other details on the medication bag match your information.
• Check that the medication name and quantity on the bag are correct.
• Pay attention to any instructions on usage, dosage, or warnings, and follow them strictly.
• Confirm that the person dispensing and delivering the medication is wearing an identification badge.
• If you have concerns about the medication, you can check drug information on the Department of Health website (http://drug. doh. gov. tw/ index2. php? type=pro).
• Ask the pharmacist about the types and effects of the medications prescribed by the doctor, and carefully verify them.
Source: Apple Data Room
Origin: http://www. nownews. com/ 2009/ 11/ 09/ 327- 2530640. htm
CTS / 2009/11/09
Does a doctor who helps you recover from a cold quickly mean they're a good doctor? Not necessarily! A clinic in Sanchong, Taipei County was exposed for illegally prescribing excessive steroids to patients, misleading them by claiming the drugs were for phlegm reduction and inflammation. Due to the quick recovery effect, the clinic was very popular. However, during a surprise inspection, the health authorities seized three types of steroid medications, which can cause systemic edema if overused.
A well-known ENT clinic in Sanchong, Taipei County, often had long lines of patients waiting outside early in the morning. Some reportedly waited up to three hours just to see the doctor. However, the clinic has now been accused of overprescribing steroids. Each consultation cost NT$200, and the prescribed medication came in unmarked English-labeled packets, leaving patients unaware of the actual contents. They only knew the medicine worked quickly and effectively.
Dr. Gao Boshen specializes in sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and treating various cold symptoms, with a monthly patient count of 8,000. To investigate whether steroids were being overprescribed or disguised under false names, health authorities conducted an inspection and confiscated three types of pills: pink Dejia tablets, yellow Biliutan, and small blue pills. Long-term excessive use of steroids can interfere with the immune system, leading not only to edema but also significantly increasing the risk of viral infections.
Source: http:/ / times. hinet. net/ times……diaArticle=true& cate=society
"Damn It" Clinic Scams Patients with Excessive Steroid Prescriptions
In Taiwan’s medical circles, rumors have circulated about doctors prescribing "American miracle drugs"—steroids—to treat minor illnesses in pursuit of popularity and quick results. Now, these claims have been confirmed. A whistleblower has accused Gao Bosen ENT Clinic in Sanchong, New Taipei City, a highly popular clinic with a large patient base, of not only overusing steroids to treat colds but also fabricating drug names to conceal steroid prescriptions, making it difficult for patients to trace. Two Apple Daily reporters posing as patients easily obtained steroids during their investigation. Lian Ruimeng, chairman of the Taiwan Pharmacists Association, condemned the practice, stating, "Doctors prioritizing profit over patient safety is downright outrageous!"
Huang Limin, director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at National Taiwan University Hospital, noted that some clinics favor steroids because they can quickly alleviate inflammation. "However, steroids interfere with the immune system, making viral infections harder to treat. This is not medically encouraged." Ho Yi-cheng, deputy superintendent of Rongxin Hospital and a family medicine specialist, explained that steroids are meant for autoimmune diseases, asthma, and allergies due to their anti-inflammatory effects. However, they weaken immunity, increase infection risks, and long-term use can lead to Cushing’s syndrome, characterized by moon face, buffalo hump, and central obesity. Taiwan has even seen cases of hip joint necrosis from prolonged steroid use.
The accused Gao Bosen ENT Clinic, located on Zhengyi North Road in Sanchong, is run by Dr. Gao Bosen (38), specializing in sinusitis and allergic rhinitis but primarily treating colds. The clinic is extremely busy, handling 8,000 National Health Insurance claims monthly, with patients often queuing outside. One mother praised, "Their medical skills are excellent, and they have many patients!" Another patient waited three and a half hours, remarking, "A famous doctor is worth the wait."
**"Disguised Drug Names" Hard to Verify**
The whistleblower, claiming to be a former employee, provided over 50 patient records on March 17, alleging the clinic prescribed steroids even to infants as young as two months old for colds. An internal drug name comparison table revealed the clinic used expectorants or invented names to mask steroids. Reporters verified that most patients with colds received steroids under fabricated names.
Late last month, two Apple Daily reporters visited the clinic posing as patients. Among many pediatric cases, they complained of sore throat and nasal congestion. The attending physician diagnosed one with a cold-induced allergy and the other with a mild cold. After throat and nasal steam treatments, they were given prescriptions to fill at the clinic’s "Xiang Shang" pharmacy.
**SGS Test Confirmed Steroids: Prednisolone**
Source: SGS Taiwan
**Gao: "If We Were Bad, No One Would Come"**
The bustling Gao Bosen ENT Clinic sees patients lining up daily.
Upon checking the prescriptions, reporters found drugs labeled "DECRYXIN" and "IPON" matched the comparison table’s steroids Dexamethasone and Prednisolone. When pharmacist Xu Zhichang was asked about the medications, he listed "expectorants, painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and cough medicine." The next day, when asked if the drugs contained steroids, Xu denied it.
The reporters sent the unopened medications to SGS for testing, confirming the pink round tablets were Dexamethasone and the light blue ones were Prednisolone.Gao Bosen visited Apple Daily yesterday to respond to the matter. He did not deny prescribing steroids to patients with colds but emphasized that not every patient receives them, stating, "Some of our doctors are more lax!" He also suggested that pharmacies might have mistaken the expectorant listed on the prescription for steroids. He claimed this was a malicious tactic by competitors, saying, "If I were a bad doctor, no one would come to me!"
Lian Ruimeng, chairman of the National Union of Pharmacists Associations, stated, "Pharmacists should not deceive patients." If steroids were clearly prescribed but the pharmacist lied about their absence, the case could be referred to the Pharmacist Disciplinary Committee, with the most severe penalty being revocation of the pharmacist’s license. Additionally, clinics failing to label medication information violate the Physician Act and the Medical Care Act, with fines of up to NT$100,000.
**Weakened Immunity—Even a 2-Month-Old Affected**
**Excessive Use Could Lead to License Revocation and Closure**
Shi Chongliang, director of the Department of Medical Affairs at the Department of Health, said steroids are not banned, and doctors cannot be prohibited from prescribing them. However, indiscriminate steroid use for all patients "does raise concerns of overuse," though each case must be evaluated individually. Under the Physician Act, if unnecessary excessive medication or treatment is involved, the case can be referred for disciplinary action by the medical association or authorities, with the most severe penalties being suspension of practice and license revocation.
**Gao Bosen, 38**
**Current Positions:** Director of Gao Bosen ENT Clinic, Physician at KingNet National Network Hospital
**Clinic Address:** No. 191, Zhengyi North Road, Sanchong City, Taipei County
**Education and Experience:**
- Bachelor of Medicine, National Taiwan University
- Attending Physician, ENT Department, Cathay General Hospital
- Advanced Training in ENT, University of Michigan, USA
- Advanced Training in Endoscopic Nasal Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, USA
- Ear Surgery Researcher, ENT Department, National Taiwan University
- Online Consultant, Taipei Radio Station
**Marital Status:** Married
**Source:** Gao Bosen ENT Clinic
**What You Should Know**
**Long-Term Steroid Use Can Cause "Moon Face"**
Steroids, commonly known as the "American Miracle Drug," are highly effective in treating conditions like endocrine disorders, skin diseases, allergies, and asthma. Oral steroids are often used to reduce inflammation and manage severe asthma attacks.
Family physician He Yicheng explained that taking steroids may lower a patient’s resistance to infections and mask infection symptoms. Long-term use can lead to side effects such as osteoporosis, moon face, buffalo hump, and stunted growth in children. Stopping abruptly after more than seven days of use can cause issues like dangerously low blood pressure—dosage must be tapered gradually.
**Masking Symptoms—"Thinking the Illness is Cured"**
**Peer Opinions**
Is steroid treatment necessary for common colds? Lian Ruimeng bluntly called it "using a cannon to kill a sparrow!" Colds require time to heal, and doctors prescribing steroids for quick results "harm patients in the long run." Lin Yingran, executive director of the Pediatric Medical Association, also believes steroids mask cold symptoms and increase infection risks, misleading patients into thinking they’re cured. "If they keep taking them this way, other clinics’ treatments won’t work later!"
The myth of steroids as a quick fix stems from their reputation as the "American Miracle Drug" and so-called "miracle doctor" fame. He emphasized that steroids are not inherently bad but "should never be the first-line treatment."
Lin Yingran stated that common colds do not require steroids. Doctors who indiscriminately prescribe them may lack a clear understanding of the illness. Moreover, steroids create a false impression of miraculous efficacy, boosting clinic business while leaving doctors with less time for proper diagnosis.
An anonymous internal medicine physician admitted that while working at a clinic, he was pressured to prescribe steroids for colds. "But I didn’t dare tell patients—they’d panic, thinking I was giving them poison!" He explained that despite steroids being called the "American Miracle Drug," patients often fear their side effects. While he understood the rationale for withholding the truth, he did not support the practice.Project Team
Patient Medication Guidelines
• Verify that the name, age, and other details on the medication bag match your information.
• Check that the medication name and quantity on the bag are correct.
• Pay attention to any instructions on usage, dosage, or warnings, and follow them strictly.
• Confirm that the person dispensing and delivering the medication is wearing an identification badge.
• If you have concerns about the medication, you can check drug information on the Department of Health website (http://drug. doh. gov. tw/ index2. php? type=pro).
• Ask the pharmacist about the types and effects of the medications prescribed by the doctor, and carefully verify them.
Source: Apple Data Room
Origin: http://www. nownews. com/ 2009/ 11/ 09/ 327- 2530640. htm
Speed up Recovery! Using Steroids for Colds?
Does a doctor who helps you recover from a cold quickly mean they're a good doctor? Not necessarily! A clinic in Sanchong, Taipei County was exposed for illegally prescribing excessive steroids to patients, misleading them by claiming the drugs were for phlegm reduction and inflammation. Due to the quick recovery effect, the clinic was very popular. However, during a surprise inspection, the health authorities seized three types of steroid medications, which can cause systemic edema if overused.
A well-known ENT clinic in Sanchong, Taipei County, often had long lines of patients waiting outside early in the morning. Some reportedly waited up to three hours just to see the doctor. However, the clinic has now been accused of overprescribing steroids. Each consultation cost NT$200, and the prescribed medication came in unmarked English-labeled packets, leaving patients unaware of the actual contents. They only knew the medicine worked quickly and effectively.
Dr. Gao Boshen specializes in sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and treating various cold symptoms, with a monthly patient count of 8,000. To investigate whether steroids were being overprescribed or disguised under false names, health authorities conducted an inspection and confiscated three types of pills: pink Dejia tablets, yellow Biliutan, and small blue pills. Long-term excessive use of steroids can interfere with the immune system, leading not only to edema but also significantly increasing the risk of viral infections.
Source: http:/ / times. hinet. net/ times……diaArticle=true& cate=society