Arkansas Attorney General lawsuit info

[Guest guest]

Ok - I'm torn. Below is the Arksas lawsuit information.

It seems to me this effects certification groups with much less rigorous

training.

 

What should the standards be for naturopath training and certification?

 

 

-------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jim Pitcock

AUGUST 12, 2001

(501) 682-0517

 

ATTORNEY GENERAL MARK PRYOR FILES SUIT AGAINST INDIVIDUALS POSING AS

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS

 

LITTLE ROCK -Attorney General Mark Pryor today stated that his office has

filed suit against the Southern College of Naturopathy (SCN) d/b/a Southern

College of Naturopathic Medicine; Gary Axley, D.O.M.; Herbal Healer Academy,

Inc.; Marijah McCain, N.D.; The Natural Path Massage Clinic; and Robert

Maki, LMT for violating the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. This

lawsuit, filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court, seeks to enjoin these

institutions and individuals from engaging in fraudulent, intentionally

misleading and deceptive advertisements and business activities. The suit

also seeks to abate the public nuisance that has been created as a result of

the defendants' acts, which are detrimental to the health, safety, security

and welfare of the people of the State of Arkansas.

 

According to the complaint filed by the Attorney General, the defendants

offer accredited degrees in the discipline of naturopathic medicine through

accelerated and/or correspondence courses in selected medical fields.

Defendants advertise that upon completion of consumers taking the

" accredited two-week accelerated course of study " , they will be able to

practice naturopathic medicine. Naturopathy is the discipline that promotes

healing through only natural means, such as herbal remedies, massage

therapy, and homeopathic medicine. " The truth is, however, " Pryor said,

" that Arkansas does not license the practice of naturopathic

medicine---period. "

 

According to information obtained by the Attorney General's Office, the

practice of naturopathic medicine requires at least a four-year,

graduate-level education of rigorous and intensive study from

nationally-recognized and/or regionally-accredited naturopathic medical

institutions. Only students who graduate from such medical institutions are

eligible to take the national licensing exam for practicing naturopathic

physicians (NPLEX).

 

The defendants in this case hold themselves out to the public as being

certified to diagnose, treat, and/or prevent various human diseases by the

use of certain remedies and invasive medical procedures. These activities

present an immediate and clear danger to Arkansas residents who may be

deceived as to the defendants' qualifications to provide medical treatment.

" This is a matter of public safety, " Pryor stated. " The claims made by this

group are alarming. "

 

Although many authentic medical schools and legitimate physicians may

incorporate naturopathy into their curricula and into their practices, a

14-day medical education is what SCN purports to be sufficient for

licensure. Pryor emphasized that safeguards, which have to be put in place

to protect the public, must be observed.

 

For further information about this matter or any other consumer issue,

contact the Attorney General's Public Protection Department at (501)

682-2007 or (800) 482-8982. TDD service is available for the hearing

impaired.

http://www.ag.state.ar.us/prrecent91.htm

[Guest guest]

I'm taking Dr. McCain's correspondence courses and I can tell you that it will take me much longer than even 4 years to complete the entire ND program, and I don't care if I'm certified or not. This is definitely a trumped up charge if their accusations are that a person can become and ND in 14 days. - Yuquibo Tuesday, August 20, 2002 3:40 PM herbal remedies [herbal remedies] Arkansas Attorney General lawsuit info Ok - I'm torn. Below is the Arksas lawsuit information.It seems to me this effects certification groups with much less rigoroustraining.What should the standards be for naturopath training and certification?-------FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Jim PitcockAUGUST 12, 2001(501) 682-0517ATTORNEY GENERAL MARK PRYOR FILES SUIT AGAINST INDIVIDUALS POSING ASNATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANSLITTLE ROCK -Attorney General Mark Pryor today stated that his office hasfiled suit against the Southern College of Naturopathy (SCN) d/b/a SouthernCollege of Naturopathic Medicine; Gary Axley, D.O.M.; Herbal Healer Academy,Inc.; Marijah McCain, N.D.; The Natural Path Massage Clinic; and RobertMaki, LMT for violating the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Thislawsuit, filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court, seeks to enjoin theseinstitutions and individuals from engaging in fraudulent, intentionallymisleading and deceptive advertisements and business activities. The suitalso seeks to abate the public nuisance that has been created as a result ofthe defendants' acts, which are detrimental to the health, safety, securityand welfare of the people of the State of Arkansas.According to the complaint filed by the Attorney General, the defendantsoffer accredited degrees in the discipline of naturopathic medicine throughaccelerated and/or correspondence courses in selected medical fields.Defendants advertise that upon completion of consumers taking the"accredited two-week accelerated course of study", they will be able topractice naturopathic medicine. Naturopathy is the discipline that promoteshealing through only natural means, such as herbal remedies, massagetherapy, and homeopathic medicine. "The truth is, however," Pryor said,"that Arkansas does not license the practice of naturopathicmedicine---period."According to information obtained by the Attorney General's Office, thepractice of naturopathic medicine requires at least a four-year,graduate-level education of rigorous and intensive study fromnationally-recognized and/or regionally-accredited naturopathic medicalinstitutions. Only students who graduate from such medical institutions areeligible to take the national licensing exam for practicing naturopathicphysicians (NPLEX).The defendants in this case hold themselves out to the public as beingcertified to diagnose, treat, and/or prevent various human diseases by theuse of certain remedies and invasive medical procedures. These activitiespresent an immediate and clear danger to Arkansas residents who may bedeceived as to the defendants' qualifications to provide medical treatment."This is a matter of public safety," Pryor stated. "The claims made by thisgroup are alarming."Although many authentic medical schools and legitimate physicians mayincorporate naturopathy into their curricula and into their practices, a14-day medical education is what SCN purports to be sufficient forlicensure. Pryor emphasized that safeguards, which have to be put in placeto protect the public, must be observed.For further information about this matter or any other consumer issue,contact the Attorney General's Public Protection Department at (501)682-2007 or (800) 482-8982. TDD service is available for the hearingimpaired.http://www.ag.state.ar.us/prrecent91.htmFederal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington

[Guest guest]

I, too am taking Dr. McCain's courses. It took me almost a year to complete one course and the one I am taking now, they allow you up to two years. I have been on that one for about 8 months so far and have a long way to go. Never have I heard or read about any 14 day course. And besides, before a person could be an ND, they would have to pass a board certification. If you don't know the stuff, how could you possibly pass that?

Chris

 

 

I'm taking Dr. McCain's correspondence courses and I can tell you that it will take me much longer than even 4 years to complete the entire ND program, and I don't care if I'm certified or not. This is definitely a trumped up charge if their accusations are that a person can become and ND in 14 days.

 

[Guest guest]

Of course i would assume that the defense will press for an early dismissal of

this suit. But if it does go to trial (which it won't if there is sufficient

public outcry from Arkansas residents) you could submit what's known as a

" Friend of the Court " brief, called in Latin Amica Curiae. This could be a

huge help.

 

On Wed, 21 Aug 2002 07:51:33 -0700 JUSTINE CRANE <jnkcrane wrote:

 

> I'm taking Dr. McCain's correspondence courses

> and I can tell you that it will take me much

> longer than even 4 years to complete the entire

> ND program, and I don't care if I'm certified

> or not. This is definitely a trumped up charge

> if their accusations are that a person can

> become and ND in 14 days.