Doctor Faces Consequences After Charging Cancer Patients Up to $20,000 to Inject Them with Garlic Oil ‘Cure’

A doctor who charged cancer patients for unproven treatments has been removed from the UK’s medical register, as revealed by a recent tribunal. Dr. Mohsen Ali, whose medical licence had previously been revoked in 2015, was found to have operated an unlicensed clinic where he offered dubious therapies, including garlic oil injections and intravenous vitamin C.

Dr. Ali’s clinic came under scrutiny after it was discovered that he treated two cancer patients in 2018, despite his lack of a valid licence. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) heard compelling evidence regarding his actions, leading to his erasure from the medical register, a decision that is currently pending an appeal. Official records from the General Medical Council (GMC) confirm that he is not listed on either the General Practitioner or Specialist registers.

Reports indicate that Dr. Ali charged exorbitant fees for his treatments, with one patient paying nearly £15,000 (around $20,400) for therapies he falsely claimed had a 90% success rate. For another patient, costs ranged between £10,000 and £12,000 (approximately $13,600 to $16,300). The tribunal’s findings highlighted that the treatments he provided lacked any clinical backing, with expert testimony confirming their inefficacy in treating cancer.

The investigation revealed that Dr. Ali’s treatment facilities at his semi-detached home in Leicester were far from suitable for medical practice. Conditions were described as unhygienic, with instances of visibly contaminated surfaces, reused medical equipment, and unsanitary environments reported. An inspection by Public Health England uncovered further alarming details, such as non-sterile containers and a deteriorating mattress found in the garden.

Among his patients was an individual with stage three prostate cancer, who had received reassurances from Ali that the condition was “easy to cure.” The patient indicated that Ali even expressed willingness to refund the payment should the treatment be unsuccessful during a phone conversation. This man had initially sought more traditional medical alternatives but became disillusioned due to concerns over treatment side effects.

Another patient, afflicted with terminal ovarian cancer, turned to Dr. Ali after being informed by the NHS that there were no further treatment options available. Reports suggest that he disparaged conventional chemotherapy and claimed that the NHS was harming patients while pharmaceutical companies profited. Tragically, this patient passed away shortly after opting to end her treatment with Ali, prior to the completion of the investigations by health and law enforcement officials.

In an email sent to the GMC, Dr. Ali refuted the allegations against him, asserting that he never claimed he could cure cancer. However, further investigations revealed promotional materials at his residence that contradict his denials, boasting of his qualifications and asserting a high success rate for cancer cures.

The tribunal ultimately concluded that Dr. Ali’s actions posed a significant and ongoing threat to public safety. His conduct was characterised as dishonest and exploitative, taking advantage of vulnerable patients who were desperate for effective treatment options. The panel affirmed that his removal from the medical register was an essential measure to protect the public and uphold standards of medical practice.

This case has sparked discussions within the medical community surrounding patient safety and the importance of regulatory oversight in healthcare practices. It serves as a reminder of the critical need for proper accreditation and adherence to evidence-based medicine in the treatment of serious health conditions such as cancer.