SINGAPORE (April 24): Singapore Medical Group is undertaking a review of its current and future acquisitions strategies.

In a filing with the Singapore Exchange on Monday evening, SMG said that in the recent course of work, through dialogues with the professional governing body and professional doctors, its management's attention has been drawn to the Singapore Medical Council's ethical code and ethical guidelines (ECEG).

In particular, SMG highlighted that the ECEG states that doctors must always place patients' best interests above their personal interests and any business or financial considerations.

“As such with a view to balancing its commercial interests against a doctor’s duty prescribed under the ECEG, of ensuring that no business or financial considerations affect the objectivity of their clinical judgment in the management of patients, the company is undertaking a review of its current and future acquisitions strategies,” said SMG in the filing, without elaborating specifically what triggered the move.

The group added that it would make further announcements as and when there are material updates or developments.

"Each case will be judged by its particular facts and circumstances," the group said.

Shares of SMG closed 1 Singapore cent lower at 60 Singapore cents.