A Waikato doctor who forged signatures on prescriptions for anabolic steroids while he was suspended from practising is believed to have fled to Australia.
Police are assessing whether the charges David Spencer Gilgen, 48, faces are serious enough to warrant seeking an extradition order, the Waikato Times has
reported.
A warrant for Gilgen's arrest was issued last week when he failed - for a second time - to appear in Hamilton District Court on fraud charges.
He faces a total of six charges of making a false medical prescription and knowingly using a false medical prescription, dating back to April 2006.
Gilgen is a former Waikato District Health Board member, well known for his work with Maori health.
He practised as a general practitioner from the Waahi Health Centre at Waahi Pa in Huntly.
His registration as a doctor was cancelled by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal in December for forgery and ordering anabolic steroids over the internet.
Hamilton police spokesman Andrew McAlley said staff were deciding, in consultation with Interpol, whether to apply for Gilgen's extradition.
He said police believed Gilgen was living in Australia, although it was not clear where or whether his family had moved overseas with him.
Mr McAlley said police considered the seriousness of the offence, evidence available, likely sentence, the fugitive's whereabouts, public interest and the cost before extraditing alleged offenders.
In most countries an extraditable offence usually carries a minimum 12-month imprisonment. Gilgen's alleged offences carry a maximum 10-year jail term.
Mr McAlley said overseas medical groups had been notified that Gilgen had been struck off the medical register.
"[This] will thwart any attempts he may make to set up practice offshore."
- NZPA
