A Cork based GP has been found guilty of professional misconduct by a fitness to practice hearing of the Irish Medical Council.
However, she will be able to continue practicing as long as she undergoes strict supervision for a two year period.
Dr Iwona Kulczyk Repec, who is originally from Poland but has been practising in Ireland since 2006, had admitted poor professional performance when the hearing first opened six weeks ago but denied professional misconduct.
Today, after hearing final submissions from both sides, the Fitness to Practice Committee said it regarded the allegations as being very serious in nature.
Chairman Dr Richard Brennan said their seriousness certainly warranted suspension in this case but because the case did not involve any moral turpitude, or any further prescribing, their recommendation to the IMC will be a sanction of censure, subject to a number of conditions.
Dr Kulczyk can continue to practice but only under strict IMC supervision for a period of two years.
She must also undergo ongoing medical education and implement a professional development plan.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Kulczyk said she was very relieved at the outcome and welcomed the supervision.
In her evidence to the hearing, she agreed she should not have given out prescribed tranquilisers such as Zanax and Rohypnol in large quantities to some 86 patients but said she did so because she had been threatened by some of the patients who had drug addiction problems.
