Atlanta, Dec. 24, 2005
Asha Chopra
NRI doctor, Totada Shanthaveerappa and also known
as T.R. Shantha, 70 and a medical assistant face 87
counts, including health care fraud and distributing
unapproved and misbranded drugs. The doctor is also
charged with money laundering involving almost $5
million.
The license of a Dr. Totada Shanthaveerappa has been
suspended by the medical board of Georgia State. The
board took the decision unanimously at a 1/2 hour
meeting and the notice was served Dr. Totada R Shanthaveerappa
The nine-member board's unanimous action came after
a federal grand jury had earlier in the week accused
the doctor, who practices in Stockbridge, of using
weed killer and insecticide to treat patients
Prosecutors say Shanthaveerappa treated cancer patients
with dinitrophenol, or DNP, a weedkiller and insecticide
chemical; Ukrain; and hyperbaric oxygen therapy intended
to treat acute mountain sickness and the bends and
deep wound healing. Prosecutors said no body suffered
any direct harm from the treatments.
Dr. T.R. Shantha's clinic website describe that it
provides safe and effective, non-toxic, scientifically
can cure or control most cancer and other chronic
disease. The website also mention that the standard
two to three week treatment would cost between $25,000
and $45,000 and maximum charges will not exceed $60,000
for 3 to 6 weeks.
Dr. T.R. Shantha has had a licence to practice since
1972, could appeal the medical board's decision before
a state administrative law judge or the state Supreme
Court.
In a letter to a medical newsletter, Shanthaveerappa
wrote that he treated a lady dying with septic shock
with peritoneal hyperthermia. "The procedure
has never been attempted before anywhere in the world,"
he wrote. "Sarcasm and indignation was expressed
by my colleagues about how I treated this woman."
He wrote that he is scorned by some doctors for avoiding
"the status quo."
Shanthaveerappa has six children, two of whom are
doctors. He has three U.S patents. One is listed as
"A method and apparatus for heating the interior
surfaces of a hollow organ or orifice of the human
body for the treatment of viral infections, microbial
infections, and cancers, the apparatus including an
insertion body having a semi-rigid support tube and
an inflatable balloon."
In June, he received the distinguished physician
award from the American Association of Physicians
of Indian Origin at the group's convention in Houston.
