The former Cape Town doctor implicated in actress Winona Ryder's drug woes came close to having his South African licence to practise medicine suspended in the late 1980s.
It was for the same type of offence - overprescription - that cost him his medical licence in California last week.
Jules Lusman, 49, who trained at the University of Cape Town medical school and is now a cosmetic laser therapist with star clients in Santa Monica, lost his licence to practise medicine there last week after the California Medical Board found he over-prescribed narcotics.
The Health Professions Council of South Africa confirmed on Thursday that Lusman had been reported to the council - then the South African Medical and Dental Council - for prescribing drugs unnecessarily in 1984.
He was given a suspended sentence in 1987.
Council spokesperson Phephela Makgoke said: "It was alleged that Lusman had prescribed Lasix (a diuretic or water pill) and Slow-K (a potassium replacement) tablets to two patients while he knew or should have known that the tablets were not needed.
"The matter was considered by the council's disciplinary committee, which found Lusman guilty of disgraceful conduct on both counts on April 22, 1987.
"The penalty recommended was that Lusman be suspended from practising for three months, but that execution of the penalty be suspended for three years, on condition that he was not found guilty by the council of any offence during that period.
"The finding of the committee and the penalty imposed were subsequently confirmed by the full council."
Diuretics and potassium replacements are usually prescribed in tandem and are common treatments for hypertension and renal complaints.
They are not addictive and do not have any serious side-effects. However, an overdose of diuretics could cause dehydration.
Lusman said he had been reprimanded by the local council. He said he had prescribed the large amounts of medication to two elderly patients suffering from hypertension, who would need the pills in future but who did not have regular access to a doctor.
Lusman, who emigrated from South Africa in 1986, was named in Ryder's probation report after her conviction for shoplifting.
Police found several powerful painkillers on her. After investigating her medical history, they discovered she had received prescriptions for narcotics from Lusman on several occasions.
Lusman is now fighting to regain his right to practise in California. He is appealing against the finding and is waiting for an appeal date.
He said the Californian hearings were like a "kangaroo court" and "the management of pain in California (was) a ontroversial issue".
"The (California) Medical Board took the position that they didn't want doctors prescribing narcotics that are habit-forming," he said.
He said although he was licensed to prescribe narcotics, he never did so unnecessarily or without careful consideration.
Lusman said Ryder had taken prescription forms from his office.
"Look, celebrities are just like ordinary people. When they get into trouble, they must blame someone. She blamed me. Many of my colleagues in California won't go near celebrities."