Dr. Alan Strauss cannot give injections to patients for cosmetic purposes.
The British Columbia Naturopathic Doctors Association has banned a Maple Ridge naturopathic doctor from carrying out any injectable cosmetic procedures until an investigation into a complaint is completed.
Dr. Alan Strauss, a naturopathic physician who practices at Salveo Naturopathy and Skin Care, was the subject of the college’s public notice posted on Oct. 11.
The commission of inquiry reportedly ordered restrictions and conditions imposed on Mr Strauss pending the completion of an investigation into a complaint received under Section 32 of the Health Professions Act.
According to the CNPBC notice, the investigation committee issued the order based on allegations that the doctor “may not have obtained informed consent for the treatment before administering phenol treatment to patients; may have misled patients about the nature and identity of the substance he injected into them, specifically leading them to believe they were receiving Botox or other botulinum toxin-based substances rather than phenol; and may have injected phenol into patients for cosmetic purposes.”
Strauss’ certification for injectable cosmetic procedures has been suspended.
The university said no substances can be injected for cosmetic purposes.
“The commission is satisfied that the information available to it indicates that the seriousness of the alleged conduct and the real risk of harm to the public require measures to protect the public during the investigation,” the notice reads.
“The Commission has taken the mildest interim measures considered necessary to address urgent public protection concerns.”
Strauss said the suspension is not permanent, but had no other comment on the case, saying he could not discuss it due to patient privacy.
Last year, Strauss was fined $10,000 by the university and received other sanctions, including a suspension from practising medicine from Oct. 18 to 25, 2015, after he was reprimanded for purchasing and injecting counterfeit drugs without notifying patients.
Strauss agreed to oversight from the university, including random surprise audits by inspectors over a two-year period.
He also agreed to provide a monthly list of his patients, including their contact information and the services he provided to them, for one year.
He also agreed to complete a six-week correspondence course on ethics for naturopathic physicians.
