Dr Nasr later denied putting Mrs Dunn in any dange
Dr Nasr later denied putting Mrs Dunn in any danger and claimed that he had stopped prescribing the drug in 1995 for her own health.
The GP, an expert in gynaecology said that when he prescribed the drugs initially he arranged with Mrs Dunn for her to take it for three weeks with one week off.
He said he believed Premarin was safe for her to take in that fashion.
And Dr Nasr, who is defending himself at the GMC, claimed warnings that it could be dangerous were publicised by the makers of the drug to ward off any financial claims.
Giving evidence Dr Nasr, the father of three daughters, said: ‘I’m a gynaecologist and I could not hand not hand over a prescription of Premarin knowing the risks from 1987 that it could lead to carcinoma.
‘I can assure you I told Mrs Dunn like any doctor would, that she should have three weeks of Premarin and one week off.
‘That is my practice.
She was seen regularly in the practice by me or a locum or nurses, and I said that from the infrequency of the prescription we should leave her – she was happy, it relieved her hot flushes.
‘She is an intelligent lady.
It was my decision to carry on with Premarin knowing that she was on intermittent courses.
‘In my opinion there was no risk at all.
She was seen 40 times and never reported vaginal bleeding.
‘As a gynaecologist I would not ignore that.
‘
Dr Nasr claimed that he spoke to a representative of the makers of Premarin and told the committee:
‘The drug company are doing this to protect themselves against claims.
‘
And he added that in 1995 he stopped Mrs Dunn’s treatment because she was approaching 70 and it is not his practice to prescribe hormone replacement therapy to anyone of that age.
Dr Nasr also said that records of her collecting a prescription in 1997 was caused by a computer error and the local chemist confirmed no drugs had been picked up by her at that time.
He told the committee he has since retired from his practice after 20 years and added:
‘I am here today just to clear my name – nothing else.
‘
Earlier an expert had told of the possible danger that Mrs Dunn was in.
Dr Lindsay Smith said that from 1995 it was ‘not normal practice’ to prescribe Premarin with an intact uterus.
Dr Smith, of Ilchester, Yeovil, Somerset, said: ‘I would consider it highly irresponsible for a GP or any doctor to prescribe this to a woman in 1995 or 1997, whether it be for one day, one week or one month.
‘The cells of the womb can become unusually active and there is a risk of cancer due to exposure to oestrogen over a long period of time.
‘I think that after 1992 it would have been highly irresponsible because of the risk of cancer.
‘
Dr Nasr read a report from Professor Eufemiano Cardosa who said that he saw Mrs Dunn in 1996 and his impression was that she was taking Premarin to stop her periods.
In his report Professor Cardosa said: ‘It is my belief that if she was taking unopposed oestrogen it was probably because she did not wish to have periods.
‘
The hearing continues.
ends
