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A doctor has been ordered to repay more than £1 million after selling slimming pills to patients around the country despite being struck off the medical register, it has emerged.
Sudesh Madan, of Homeway, Romford, Essex, was told to pay back £1,050,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act at a confiscation hearing at St Albans Crown Court. She had used the money from selling the pills to fund a lavish lifestyle, purchasing properties, holidays and cars.
Madan admitted selling Phentermine and Diethylpropion slimming pills at a number of ‘Easy Slim’ clinics across the country and was jailed for 18 months in May. She sold the pills despite being struck off by the General Medical Council, Hertfordshire Police said.
The 58-year-old pleaded guilty to four counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug and four counts of supplying a controlled drug, police said.
A spokeswoman said it is believed Madan was operating the five clinics since 2001, shortly after the GMC hearing.
They were in Welwyn Garden City, Herts; Harlow, Essex; Wakefield and Huddersfield in West Yorkshire and Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
Madan, known as Dr Ahmed to patients in the northern clinics, led people to believe she was a doctor and would prescribe the pills after a consultation.
A week’s worth of pills, which could help suppress appetite, would typically cost £20, police said.
The spokeswoman said the operation funded a lavish lifestyle, paying for properties in the UK and abroad, expensive cars with personalised number plates and luxurious holidays.
Madan now has six months to pay back £1,050,000 or face four years behind bars.
Copyright Press Association 2010
