Dr. Rashid Buttar is again facing charges of unprofessional conduct from the N.C. Medical Board.
The board claims Buttar has exploited patients by charging exorbitant fees for unproven therapies that didn't work and by arbitrarily ordering expensive tests to make more money.
Buttar, 43, who owns an alternative medicine practice in Huntersville, will get a second chance to present his case that unconventional treatments have helped patients with cancer, autism and other ailments. His therapies include hyperbaric oxygen therapy, chelation therapy and intravenous infusions of multiple chemicals, vitamins and minerals.
In April 2008, after a hearing on similar allegations, a panel of the medical board recommended that Buttar be prohibited from treating children or patients with cancer because his practice is below accepted medical standards in North Carolina. But the board later declared that hearing invalid and ordered a new one.
Earlier this month, the board issued a revised set of allegations against Buttar. The claims are similar to those made before the 2008 hearing. Four more complainants have been added, bringing the total to eight.
Buttar has accused the licensing agency of conducting a "witch hunt" and argues he can't get a fair trial before medical board members. Instead, he asked for the hearing to be held before an administrative law judge, and in an unusual move, the medical board agreed.
"I refuse to buckle to their pressure," Buttar said. "They expected me to give in, and I didn't...We wanted to get this into a real court with a real judge."
A hearing date hasn't been set. In the meantime, Buttar is allowed to practice without restrictions.
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