In fall 2014, two decades after Malibu psychiatrist William Rader began selling unproven stem cell treatments to desperate patients with incurable conditions, California authorities permanently revoked his medical license for negligence, false or misleading advertising and professional misconduct.
“His dishonesty permeates every aspect of his business and practices,” the medical board wrote in a scathing 39-page decision.
Today, Rader has a new title: “chief scientist” rather than “chief medical officer.” But his California company continues to operate, advertising and arranging injections that cost $30,000 apiece and are administered abroad, outside the reach of U.S. authorities.
As long as the treatments never enter the country and Rader no longer represents himself as a licensed doctor, U.S. regulators are limited in their ability to stop him.
Revoking a doctor’s license is the most severe punishment the medical board can impose.
“We did our job,” said Cassandra Hockenson, a spokeswoman for the board. “He’s done as far as we’re concerned.”
For its part, the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates medications, medical devices and biological products, has no jurisdiction outside the United States.
In an interview at his Spanish-style villa in Malibu, Rader, 77, said he was proud to have lost his license. “I must be doing something right,” he said. “The greater percentage of people who get into trouble are ahead of their time.”
Rader has never allowed outsiders to examine his injections and has never published scientific evidence on their efficacy.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Doctor with revoked license continues to sell unproven stem cell treatments
