Charlottetown doctor faces narcotics charge

A Charlottetown doctor has been charged with getting prescription narcotics under false pretences.

The charges against Dr. Grant Matheson, 43,relate to incidents that occurred between January 2003 and December 2005, and it is unclear whether they are connected to a case already investigated by P.E.I.'s College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Matheson is charged with using false pretences to obtain prescription narcotics from a Charlottetown pharmacy. Court documents do not say what narcotic was involved, whether the charge involves more than one incident, or whether Matheson is accused of obtaining the narcotics for himself or someone else.

Following the case investigated by the college, it emerged that Matheson had had a narcotics addiction himself. Matheson's licence was suspended in 2005.He returned to work last year, but was restricted from prescribing narcotics.

Dr. Cyril Moyse, registrar of the college, told CBC News Thursday he wasn't aware of the specifics of this criminal charge, but the college would be looking into the matter.

The college is also asking the province to change the Medical Act, so that police would be required to tell the college if a physician faces criminal charges.

Matheson's case will be in court June 19.