Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine Warns Against Clinics not Practicing Safely
August 24th, 2010 by Dr. Robert Madda
The following letter was sent out to all Naturopathic Physicians practicing in Oregon:
Please read below
Click here to see an official copy of the letter
“It has come to the attention of the OBNM that various weight loss clinics are employing or attempting to employ Oregon ND’s in order to obtain a controversial weight loss aid called HcG (human chorionic gonadotropin). Some of these weight loss clinics are currently under investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice. One Oregon ND has already been disciplined for being involved with one of these clinics. HcG requires a prescription by a licensed physician, and the package insert comes with a disclaimer that it has no affect as an adjunct to weight loss. The OBNM would like to advise Oregon naturopathic physicians not to get involved in any partnership with a clinic that may provide inadequate care to members of the public. Please note that when prescribing this or any other medication to a patient, appropriate chart notes, health history, physical examination, adequate training and follow up are necessary and your responsibility.
Practice in Health,
Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine”
What does this mean?
1) Many of the clinics in Portland and across the state are not properly establishing a doctor patient relationship prior to prescribing medications. The doctor patient relationship must be established in person, in the doctor’s office. Pertinent physical exams and appropriate assessment of a patients medical status must be completed not only to assure ethical and responsible practice standards, but more importantly to assure the health and safety of the patient.
2) Many of the clinics in Oregon are establishing the doctor patient relationship either over the phone, or via Skype. This is unethical, unprofessional and can be a danger to the patient. The clinics that are allowing for these types of policies are not in compliance with state laws. So be sure, that if you are wanting to initiate care with a physician, that you are seen in their office as a new patient. Do not let anyone convince you that it is either appropriate or safe to do otherwise.
3) hCG is a bioidentical hormone and can only be prescribed judiciously by a licensed physician. Do not buy hCG or any medication on the internet. Do not be fooled into thinking that it is ok to receive a prescription for hCG without first having been seen in person by a physician.
4) The doctor patient relationship implies and requires continued care with that physician. Many of the larger weight loss clinics in Oregon do not have continued care with a physician and the patient care is being managed by nurses or office staff. Medical care requires a physicians involvement. If you are under the care of a physician, you must follow up with that physician and have your continued care managed by that physician – not the office staff.
What this does not mean!
1) The Board of Naturopathic Medicine is not saying that hCG is unsafe. They are in fact saying that while there exists controversy surrounding this treatment, physicians need to be in compliance with state law to practice ethically and responsibly.
2) The Board of Naturopathic Medicine is not stating that prescribing hCG is discouraged. They are stating that the clinics that are lacking in professional integrity and not employing physicians to practice in compliance with state law, are currently under investigation by the department of justice. This is a good thing! The Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine has as its primary goal, keeping patients safe by ensuring the ethical and professional standards are adhered to and followed!
3) The Board is not saying that doctors will be disciplined or fined for judiciously, ethically and responsibly utilizing hCG as an adjunct treatment for weight loss.
4) The Board is not saying that hCG is unsafe. Doctors that are practicing unethically can be unsafe and put their patients in danger.
What about the “off label” use of medication?
What does the medication insert actually say?
Please click here to read the actual Novarel insert
Please click here to read the actual Pregnyl insert
Is there research regarding the efficacy of hCG as an adjunct treatment for weight loss?
1) 59 page index of research articles compiled by Dr. Daniel Belluscio M.D.
2) The Management of Obesity – A Double Blind Study on hCG
3) Journal of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (1987) – Suction Assisted Lipectomy and The hCG Protocol
If you have any further questions regarding this issue, please feel free to call Dr. Justin Hoffman at 503-347-4625
