Clipping Board » Medical Harm ─ Unnecessary or inappropriate medical procedures can also cause harm.
December 21, 2020, Reporter Wu Mingfeng / Taipei Report
Weight-loss specialist Dr. Liu Enshao prescribed diet pills to a man in 2013 but failed to notice that the man suffered from coronary artery sclerosis. The prescribed weight-loss medication contained "ephedra," and the dosage was continuously increased until the man was taking 15 pills a day. The excessive stimulation of adrenaline caused his blood vessels to spasm, further narrowing his coronary arteries, ultimately leading to a fatal heart attack. Liu Enshao was sentenced to six months in prison in both the first and second trials, convertible to a fine of NT$180,000. After an appeal, the Supreme Court dismissed the case on the 21st, finalizing the verdict.
The ruling stated that Liu Enshao, a renowned physician employed at the Shuanghe branch of the chain Chinese medicine clinic "Mingshi Chinese Medicine," began treating a Mr. Chen on June 21, 2013, for swelling and pain in his left index finger due to trigger finger. Later, Chen learned that Liu was a weight-loss specialist and underwent weight-loss treatments on June 26, July 3, July 10, and July 19 of the same year, with Liu responsible for diagnosis and prescriptions.
Initially, Liu prescribed 70 "Jiansan Mahuang" pills for Chen to take five pills twice daily, along with seven packets of weight-loss tea and other medications. Unaware that his coronary arteries were already 75–80% narrowed due to atherosclerosis, Chen continued taking the medication. During follow-ups, Chen reported symptoms such as constipation, abdominal pain, belching, and nausea. Liu failed to recognize the impact of the drugs on Chen's coronary arteries and instead increased the dosage, prescribing 98 "Jiansan Mahuang" capsules for Chen to take seven pills twice daily. When Chen's condition did not improve, Liu further escalated the prescription to 105 capsules, requiring Chen to take five pills three times a day—totaling 15 pills daily.
After just three days of this high dosage, the ephedra in the weight-loss pills caused Chen's blood vessels to spasm. Combined with the caffeine in the weight-loss tea, which intensified ephedra's effects, his coronary arteries narrowed further, leading to acute myocardial infarction due to insufficient blood flow. Chen went into cardiac shock and died despite emergency treatment. His family filed a lawsuit, and prosecutors determined Liu was negligent, leading to an indictment.
Both the first and second trials found Liu guilty of "negligent homicide." The first trial sentenced him to six months in prison. The second trial noted that as a practicing physician, Liu had a high duty of care but failed to properly assess the patient's condition, recklessly increasing the dosage, which resulted in death. The victim was in the prime of life, and his sudden passing left his family and two young children without support, causing profound trauma. Liu denied wrongdoing and refused to settle, leading the second trial to uphold the six-month sentence, convertible to a fine. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court, which dismissed the appeal on the 21st, finalizing the verdict.
Source: https://www. ettoday. net/ news/ 20201221/ 1880913. htm
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New Taipei Weight Loss Doctor's Prescription Leads to Man's Death after 3 Days
Weight-loss specialist Dr. Liu Enshao prescribed diet pills to a man in 2013 but failed to notice that the man suffered from coronary artery sclerosis. The prescribed weight-loss medication contained "ephedra," and the dosage was continuously increased until the man was taking 15 pills a day. The excessive stimulation of adrenaline caused his blood vessels to spasm, further narrowing his coronary arteries, ultimately leading to a fatal heart attack. Liu Enshao was sentenced to six months in prison in both the first and second trials, convertible to a fine of NT$180,000. After an appeal, the Supreme Court dismissed the case on the 21st, finalizing the verdict.
The ruling stated that Liu Enshao, a renowned physician employed at the Shuanghe branch of the chain Chinese medicine clinic "Mingshi Chinese Medicine," began treating a Mr. Chen on June 21, 2013, for swelling and pain in his left index finger due to trigger finger. Later, Chen learned that Liu was a weight-loss specialist and underwent weight-loss treatments on June 26, July 3, July 10, and July 19 of the same year, with Liu responsible for diagnosis and prescriptions.
Initially, Liu prescribed 70 "Jiansan Mahuang" pills for Chen to take five pills twice daily, along with seven packets of weight-loss tea and other medications. Unaware that his coronary arteries were already 75–80% narrowed due to atherosclerosis, Chen continued taking the medication. During follow-ups, Chen reported symptoms such as constipation, abdominal pain, belching, and nausea. Liu failed to recognize the impact of the drugs on Chen's coronary arteries and instead increased the dosage, prescribing 98 "Jiansan Mahuang" capsules for Chen to take seven pills twice daily. When Chen's condition did not improve, Liu further escalated the prescription to 105 capsules, requiring Chen to take five pills three times a day—totaling 15 pills daily.
After just three days of this high dosage, the ephedra in the weight-loss pills caused Chen's blood vessels to spasm. Combined with the caffeine in the weight-loss tea, which intensified ephedra's effects, his coronary arteries narrowed further, leading to acute myocardial infarction due to insufficient blood flow. Chen went into cardiac shock and died despite emergency treatment. His family filed a lawsuit, and prosecutors determined Liu was negligent, leading to an indictment.
Both the first and second trials found Liu guilty of "negligent homicide." The first trial sentenced him to six months in prison. The second trial noted that as a practicing physician, Liu had a high duty of care but failed to properly assess the patient's condition, recklessly increasing the dosage, which resulted in death. The victim was in the prime of life, and his sudden passing left his family and two young children without support, causing profound trauma. Liu denied wrongdoing and refused to settle, leading the second trial to uphold the six-month sentence, convertible to a fine. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court, which dismissed the appeal on the 21st, finalizing the verdict.
Source: https://www. ettoday. net/ news/ 20201221/ 1880913. htm