Wisconsin state medical board imposes harsh sanctions against Chelation physician - Editorial

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Jan, 2003

If respondent does not successfully complete the program or does not successfully achieve the objectives of the program, and does not pass SPEX, this matter shall be referred to the Board to determine any other appropriate discipline for the conduct set out in the Findings of Fact. Respondent and the Division will have the opportunity to present argument to the Board on that issue. The Board and respondent will receive the results of the assessment and respondent's performance in the program, including the post-intervention assessment as evidence in determining appropriate discipline.

If respondent has diligently pursued the assessment option in a timely manner, and has promptly started the recommended educational program (if any), but is unable to fully complete the educational program recommended, by October 31, 2005, he may petition the Board for a reasonable extension to finish the educational program. The granting of such extension is within the discretion of the Board, and may include conditions or additional limitations for the period of such extension, based on the assessment and respondent's progress in the educational program as known at that time.

It is further ordered, that respondent shall pay partial costs of investigating and prosecuting this matter in the amount of $15,000, together with statutory interest from the date of this Order, by October 31, 2003.

It is further ordered, that pursuant to [sections]448.02(4), Wis. Stats., if the Board determines that there is probable cause to believe that respondent has violated any term of this Final Decision and Order, the Board may order that the license of respondent be summarily suspended pending investigation of the alleged violation.

Dated this November 20, 2002.

Wisconsin Medical Examining Board by a member of the Board.

Required Disclosure for Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA) Chelation Therapy

Patient name and full address:

Age and sex:

Malignancies, diseases, illnesses or physical conditions diagnosed for medical treatment by EDTA chelation therapy (list all):

My physician has explained to me and I fully understand:

(a) that the use of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) has been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only for the use of removing heavy metals from the body (or, in the calcium disodium form, for treating hypercalcemia or digitalis intoxication);

(b) that the FDA has not approved the drug EDTA for treatment of diseases or conditions other than heavy metals poisoning (or, in the calcium disodium form, for treating hypercalcemia or digitalis intoxication);

(c) that it has not been established through controlled trials that EDTA chelation therapy is effective for the treatment of circulatory diseases, specifically including atherosclerosis, hardening of the arteries, vascular insufficiency, or diabetes;

(d) that three small controlled trials were completed in 1992, 1994 and 2001, which trials found that EDTA chelation therapy was not effective in the treatment of vascular diseases;