Canadian Scientologist charged with illegal practice of medicine, faces $88,000 fine

A Canadian Scientologist has been charged with practicing medicine without a licence after an undercover documentary recorded him calling bipolar a “made-up disease” and recommending a cocktail of vitamins in place of medically-prescribed drugs.

In the Enquête exposé, a journalist went undercover posing as somebody with bipolar disorder seeking help from Scientology. He was directed to a car mechanic who worked for the Church, who told the reporter he should stop taking his medication in favour for an “anti-drug bomb” of vitamins, as suggested by L. Ron Hubbard’s teachings.

Following the documentary, the Collège des Médecins du Québec conducted its own investigation and is now pursuing legal action against the Scientologist, named by Canadian media as Doris Sanfaçon, who faces six counts of illegal practice of medicine and a fine of up to $88,000.

According to CBC, “for several months, Mr. Sanfaçon illegally followed and advised a sick person, whose identity has not been revealed. The mechanic is accused of having exercised clinical assessment on the condition of a sick person whose state of health presented risks, as well as of having diagnosed illnesses, determined medical treatment and prescribed medications or other substances.”

According to the report, “he was an active member of the organization’s staff. The Church entrusted him with people who wanted to wean themselves off their psychotropic medications and do a purification program.”

In response one of Scientology’s lawyers, Michel G. Ménard, issued a statement saying “the Church of Scientology does not tolerate in any way that a follower or member interferes with a medical program or the taking of medication without authorization from his doctor.”

However, footage released by Enquête clearly shows Scientology staffers recommending the undercover journalist wean off his prescribed medication and instead enrol on the Purification Rundown, a dangerous program that involves taking thousands of milligrams of Niacin and sitting in a sauna for extended periods. Radio-Canada reports “the Church of Scientology falsely claims that this program cleanses the body of toxins, including those left behind by drugs and medications. The cleanse is sold for $2,500.”

“Dr. Maude St-Onge, a toxicologist and medical director of the Quebec Poison Control Center, analyzed this purification program. According to her, certain vitamins taken repeatedly could cause liver problems in the long term.”

A number of children are also currently undergoing the program at Scientology’s UK headquarters in Sussex, as we reported earlier this month.

The Purification Rundown is described by spokespeople as a “religious service” when delivered at Church of Scientology properties, but a “secular program” when sold by Narconon, the controversial drug rehabilitation front group run by Scientology. An investigation by The Observer in the UK recently warned of the dangers of the program, reporting “several witnesses described how people would go into hypnotic or trance-like states, “spacing out” or experiencing “depersonalisation”. “They taught me that usually you go through these exercises until you … get to a point where you feel that your body doesn’t belong to you.” one person said.”

According to Health Canada, “inspectors determined that an individual affiliated with the Church of Scientology was importing and directly selling unauthorized health products in Canada.”

Making diagnoses and recommending treatment are considered medical acts in Canada, which should only be carried out by approved and certified professionals. As journalist Gaetan Pouliot explained in an article published in November, “individuals and organisations that perform medical acts are exposed to investigation by the College of Physicians and prosecution in court.”

“One of the things a government can do to intervene with a religious organisation is when there is illegal practice of medicine“, Professor Phil Lord told Pouliot.

You can watch the Enquête undercover documentary in French below.