Second state board suspends license of Las Vegas homeopath

Monday, Dec. 20, 2004 | 9:29 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A second state regulatory board has suspended the license of Dr. Edward Hoffman, a Las Vegas osteopath, saying he poses "an imminent threat to the public health and safety."

The state Board of Osteopathic Medicine had planned to meet Saturday to consider taking disciplinary action against Hoffman because he was accused of failing to abide by a settlement agreement that came out of a prior disciplinary case.

But the board met in emergency session Thursday to order Hoffman to stop practicing osteopathy. It said it will reschedule the disciplinary hearing to be held within 60 days.

The state Pharmacy Board last week summarily suspended Hoffman's license to prescribe drugs after a raid on his office found botox and flu vaccine that had not been approved by the FDA.

Hoffman, who practiced at the Nevada Institute for Wellness and Longevity, 2701 North Tenaya Way, could not be reached for comment. Neither could his lawyer Dominic Gentile.

The osteopathy board, meeting in Las Vegas, said there was evidence that Hoffman gave more than 36 injections of the non-FDA approved influenza vaccine to his patients.

The board also noted that evidence indicated Hoffman had secured vials of botox that also had not received federal approval.

The botox vials were marked "Research use only, not for human use."

Hoffman also had procured Clenbuterol, used for treating horses with breathing problems, and he administered the drug to his patients for weight loss, the osteopathy board said.

Dr. Matthew McMahon, vice chairman of the osteopathic board said, "The use of these agents is inexcusable. This shows incredibly poor judgment and indeed poses a significant risk.

Dr. Daniel Curtis, another member of the board, said Hoffman was dangerous and a summary suspension was necessary to protect the public.

The osteopathy board said one patient who was given Clenbuterol suffered a severe reaction that Hoffman dismissed as normal and said would go away. The same patient was injected with botox but has not shown signs of botulism.