Arabic version: هيئة رقابية في فيكتوريا تحذّر من طبيبة مزعومة

According to ABC News, Victoria’s Health Complaints Commissioner has warned the public not to engage Melbourne woman Assma (Sarah) Samadi for general health services. The commissioner issued an interim prohibition order banning Ms Samadi from providing any health service in Victoria.

The warning followed an investigation launched on August 5. Commissioner Bernice Redley said it was alleged that Ms Samadi, described as an unregistered health practitioner, offered treatment she was not qualified to provide and unlawfully supplied unapproved medications to treat a person with a chronic illness. It is also alleged that she represented herself as a medical practitioner and charged more than $20,000 for the treatments.

In a statement, Ms Redley said the commissioner reasonably believed Ms Samadi may have contravened the code of conduct in Schedule 2 of the Health Complaints Act 2016. The statement said publishing the warning was necessary to avoid an imminent and serious risk to the life, health, safety or welfare of a person or the public. The interim prohibition order remains in force.

Police charged Ms Samadi in July with trafficking steroids, possessing drugs and common assault in Melbourne’s Bayside. After two search warrants, police alleged they found cocaine and quantities of prescription medicines, including testosterone, synthetic anabolic steroids, painkillers and human growth hormone. Ms Samadi was granted bail and is due to appear in Moorabbin Magistrates Court on October 19.

Police also arrested a 39-year-old Brighton East man, who was charged with the same offences, including two counts of trafficking steroids, possessing cocaine, a drug of dependence and a schedule 4 poison. He was granted bail to appear in court on the same date. The health watchdog urged people with concerns to contact the Health Complaints Commissioner.