A real-life Robin Hood, who saves lives in the world's poorest countries, has been disciplined for practising without a certificate.
The doctor, who has name suppression, pleaded not guilty to ordering an unusually large amount of medical supplies but pleaded guilty to treating patients without a certificate when he appeared before the New Zealand Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal yesterday.
The doctor was a locum at a North Island practice in 2013 and 2014. From February 2012 to February 2014 he ordered 278 items of medical supplies within a two-year period.
During this time, he held a practising certificate for only five days, which allowed him to perform his duty as a medical practitioner only for that period.
According to the statement of facts, the items requested by the doctor included a large amount of antibiotics, as well as large quantities of contraception that included the contraceptive injection Depo Provera and Oxytocin, typically used after childbirth.
The medical centre practice manager advised the doctor at the time he was not expected to provide emergency supplies and there was a fully stocked drug cabinet and emergency supplies at the practice.
The doctor claimed he needed to do after-hours' work and considered it a necessity to prepare for emergencies.
The doctor said the Practitioner Supply Orders (PSO) were "not inappropriately ordered or not inappropriately used" and he did not intend to take the supplies overseas.
New Zealand doctors are authorised to use a PSO to obtain medical supplies at no cost as they are fully subsidised by Pharmac.
Professional Conduct Committee counsel Jamie Eng said the man brought serious discredit to the profession and he deliberately used the PSO to treat overseas patients.
"It is outside the scope of the PSO regime.
"Pharmac does not pay for overseas patients."
Mr Eng cross-examined the doctor and asked if he was using the PSO to "boost stock for overseas work".
The doctor said emergencies happened at any time and he needed the supplies.
"It is fair to say quite a few of the drugs you order from PSO won't be used. They will expire, you throw them out or give them to an organisation," he said.
He said he took the medication overseas only when it was due to expire but the supplies ordered were only for emergencies.
Mr Eng acknowledged the doctor's actions were "extraordinarily admirable and there is nothing wrong with his practice".
However, he said, the doctor did not spend enough time here to ensure he was up-to-date with New Zealand standard of practice.
Defence lawyer Adam Lewis said the doctor had a huge "dedication of service to others".
With no fixed abode, he returned to the country every three months for two weeks, only to earn money to fund expenses and accommodation for his travels.
The doctor said he had learnt his lesson and he deeply regretted his actions.
The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal deputy chairman Ken Johnston ordered him to report to a supervisor every four months for practising without a certificate.