A Co Clare doctor, Dr Paschal Carmody, who was the focus of an RTÉ Prime Time investigation screened on Tuesday, is to be the subject of a full Medical Council investigation into his professional conduct.
The Irish Times has learned that an emergency section of the 1978 Medical Practitioners Act was invoked some weeks ago leading to a restriction on Dr Carmody's practice of medicine.
The Medical Council went to the High Court last month following a complaint against the Killaloe doctor.
Last week Dr Carmody was fined more than € 9,000 at Killaloe District Court after pleading guilty to the manufacture and supply of unauthorised medicines, including St John's Wort and dehydroepiandrosteron, which is an anabolic steroid.
Yesterday the complainant received a letter from the Medical Council confirming that its fitness-to-practise committee had decided that a prima-facie case existed concerning Dr Carmody's professional conduct.
In the meantime, the High Court order restricts Dr Carmody, of Tinarana House, Ogonnelloe, Killaloe, from practising photodynamic therapy (PDT).
PDT is a newly-recognised treatment for certain superficial cancers of the skin and other areas of the body. According to the Prime Time investigation, Dr Carmody offered PDT as a treatment for late-stage cancers regardless of their location.
In one incident the family of a 14-year-old boy from Singapore, with a bone cancer which had spread to his lungs, was allegedly told that the treatment could benefit him.
Dr Maurice Guéret, editor of the Irish Medical Directory, was contacted by the boy's family for advice when they became suspicious of the appropriateness of this treatment.
All health agencies have been alerted to the terms of the High Court order, and will be kept advised of any further developments