Dermatologist prescribed known risky drug to boy

A consultant dermatologist who was found guilty of professional misconduct after prescribing a drug with a known risk of stunting growth to an 11-year-old boy has been struck off the medical register.

Adam Jacobus Smith was found guilty of more than 50 counts of Professional Misconduct and/or Poor Professional Performance by a Medical Council fitness to practise inquiry earlier this year. The council’s decision to cancel his registration has been confirmed by the High Court, the final stage in the disciplinary process against Mr Smith.

Amongst the other allegations found to have been proven against him was that he used the drug Stellara on a patient, in a period before it was licensed for use in Ireland.