"Doctor" banned after claims he can reverse autism
A health practitioner in Sydney's eastern suburb has been permanently banned for prescribing medication that he believed could reverse autism.
Bondi-based Rama Prasad prescribed pills that contained elevated levels of mercury, lead and arsenic to a three-year-old, which quantities are unacceptable by Australian standards.
The Health Care Complaints Commission has found there was no evidence for this treatment.
It's also said that he has misrepresented being a doctor as a "non-health practitioner".
Mr Prasad provided the "care" to the toddler without the necessary qualifications, and prescribed Ayurvedic medicine for his own financial gain without disclosing his motives.
Ayurveda is a pseudoscientific alternative medical system with roots in India.
"Sadly, this is not uncommon, there are a lot of these types of quack practitioners out there that are really preying of families, particularly of young children who have just been diagnosed with autism," Nicole Rogerson, CEO of Autism Awareness Australia said.
The Commission has deemed that Mr Prasad "poses a risk to the health and safety of members of the public".
Mr Prasad has now "permanently prohibited from providing, or causing to be provided, any health services, either in paid employment or voluntarily, to any member of the public".
Image credits: Nine News