Struck-off doctor ordered top pay £1m

Sudesh Madan was struck off by the GMC in 2001

A doctor who illegally sold slimming pills from clinics across England has been ordered to pay more than £1m.

Sudesh Madan, 58, of Homeway, Romford, Essex, was jailed for 18 months in May after admitting possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply.

St Albans Crown Court head that Madan had received £1,050,000 by selling the pills.

She must now sell two properties she owns or face an extra four years in jail.

At the proceeds of crime confiscation hearing, prosecutor Charles White said available assets, in the form of two properties, amounted to the figure of £1,050,000.

Judge Stephen Gullick gave Madan, who was recently released from prison, until 24 April 2011 to pay the money.

Warrants executed

Defence barrister Andrew Kerry said he thought it unlikely both properties would be sold by then and added that it was possible he would return to court to ask for extra time.

St Albans Crown Court was told Madan sold phentermine and diethylpropion slimming pills at five Easy Slim clinics.

Hertfordshire Police executed warrants at the clinics in Welwyn Garden City, Harlow in Essex, Wakefield and Huddersfield in West Yorkshire and Barnsley in South Yorkshire in December last year.

They were alerted when their colleagues in Essex interviewed a woman about an unrelated offence and discovered she had been taking slimming pills prescribed by Madan, who was struck off the medical register by the General Medical Council (GMC) in 2001.

This following proceedings against her for serious professional misconduct relating to the prescription of unlicensed slimming drugs.

Financial Investigator Vanessa Kemp, of Hertfordshire Police economic crime unit, said: "Thanks to this confiscation order... she'll no longer be able to live the lifestyle she was unlawfully accustomed to."

A share of the value of the money will be given to the police force to help fight crime.