An Indian national accused of practising medicine in Jamaica without a licence is to be tried on March 10.

Ravi Vatsavi appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown to answer to a charge of working without a permit.

Vatsavi told the court that his work permit was at the Ministry of Labour. He said he was not practising medicine, but was always in the company of a doctor who is a good friend of his.

The prosecution told the court that Vatsavi had signed a prescription for a patient. But he said the doctor was in surgery at the time and all the patient wanted was a pain killer, which he knew about.