Singapore Doctor Suspended for inappropriate Hormone Prescriptions in “Anti-Ageing” Scheme
A Singaporean doctor with a history of misconduct has been suspended for 36 months after being found guilty of inappropriately prescribing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to 18 patients, despite them exhibiting no clinical need for the treatments. The case, brought forward by the Singapore medical Council (SMC), highlights concerns about the growing, and largely unregulated, practise of “anti-ageing” medicine.
The disciplinary tribunal found Dr. Wong Yoke Meng, who also operates under the name Dr.Cecil Wong,guilty of professional misconduct under the Medical Registration Act (MRA). The charges included the inappropriate prescription of hormones, starting HRT before receiving blood test results, and a lack of adherence to established medical guidelines.
“He started the HRT even before blood test results were out,” the tribunal noted.
The patients, aged between 39 and 74, received prescriptions that deviated substantially from established medical guidelines. Notably, three men were prescribed progesterone – a hormone primarily associated with females – and for which there is no scientific basis for use in men. Conversely, four women received testosterone therapy, typically reserved for those with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, according to guidelines from the international Endocrine Society. Ten patients were prescribed multiple hormones together, a practice deemed inappropriate due to the uncertain and potentially harmful interactions between them.
Financial Motive Alleged
The tribunal asserted that dr. wong’s actions were driven by financial gain. His “anti-ageing” or “wellness and health” program, priced at $12,000 and $10,000 annually for some patients, did not include the cost of the medications themselves. According to the tribunal, “given the unproven benefits of the therapies, it would seem that the only beneficiary of Dr Wong’s HRT practice was himself.” Prescribing hormones for anti-ageing purposes is “simply not an accepted practice in Singapore,” and lacks broad medical consensus.
At least three patients experienced adverse effects as an inevitable result of the treatments. One woman suffered hand tremors, while two men exhibited abnormally high testosterone levels. The tribunal acknowledged that a more severe penalty, such as striking Dr. Wong off the medical register, could have been warranted, particularly given his previous convictions in 2024, 2015, 2011, and 2001.
Past Convictions and Questionable Testimony
Dr.Wong’s history of misconduct extends beyond the HRT prescriptions. In 2015, he was fined $24,000 for sending patient samples to unaccredited overseas laboratories. More recently, in 2024, he was found guilty of providing false declarations to the SMC regarding his past convictions in Hong Kong courts.
During the tribunal proceedings, Dr. Wong attempted to defend his practices, claiming that the low doses of hormones he administered posed no risk and were aimed at “optimising hormone levels” rather than treating specific symptoms. He presented testimony from two experts in support of his HRT practices. However, the tribunal found both experts’ testimonies questionable. A local expert conceded that anti-ageing medicine was a “relatively new entrant into the medical field” lacking extensive guidelines. The foreign expert initially denied any prior relationship with dr. Wong, but later admitted they had discussed a potential merger of their clinics in Hong Kong, casting doubt on his impartiality.
Suspension and Ongoing Scrutiny
On August 29th, the tribunal, chaired by Associate Professor Roy Joseph, ordered Dr. Wong’s suspension for 36 months, commencing on October 8, 2025, and concluding on October 7, 2028 – the maximum suspension period allowed under the MRA.
the SMC sought a 72-month suspension, while Dr. Wong argued for a sentence of no more than one year and 20 weeks. The tribunal’s decision reflects the seriousness of the misconduct and the need to protect public health.
As of today, checks on the SMC register have not yielded any records of Dr. Wong’s current registration status. The Straits Times has contacted the SMC for clarification. The case serves as a stark warning against the dangers of unproven medical treatments and the importance of ethical conduct within the medical profession.
