A doctor running a network of addiction clinics across Ontario, including an Ottawa location that offers safer opioid supply, is billing public insurance about $2.5 million per year.
Dr. Suman Koka is the sole officer and director of Northwood Recovery, which has locations in North York, Hamilton and Manitoulin Island. It operates under the name Recovery North in Sudbury, Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie.
Neighbours in both Hintonburg and Chinatown have criticized Koka for prescribing opioid medications to fentanyl users. They say his patients are trading the prescription drugs on the street to get harder substances, attracting dealers and crime to the area.
City councillors representing both neighbourhoods have urged Northwood Recovery to change its operations or shut down.
It seems to me like this physician may be exploiting harm reduction practices for personal financial gain and tarnishing the reputation of safer supply clinics. Year after year he’s amongst the highest physician billers in the province; has something like 15 practice locations. He seems to only do virtual care appointments. I question the appropriateness of mainly/ exclusively virtual care appointments for this population. People accessing safer supply services often have many under-treated medical and social needs. Responsible providers seek to assess and address those needs during appointments centred around accessing safer drug supplies. This isn’t just compassionate care; it’s fiscally prudent by reducing urgent and acute care needs down the road - it’s all the same health system. I doubt much of that is included in what seem to be as quick as possible virtual care appointments. It seems like profiteering off a vulnerable population and a significant social issue given a lack of oversight