Integrative cancer treatment.

Existing law prohibits the sale, prescription, or administration of a drug, medicine, compound, or device to be used in the diagnosis, treatment, alleviation, or cure of cancer unless it has been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration or by the State Department of Public Health, as specified, and makes a violation of that provision a misdemeanor. The Medical Practice Act provides for the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons by the Medical Board of California and requires the board to take action against a licensee who is charged with unprofessional conduct. The act immunizes a physician and surgeon from discipline for providing advice or treatment that constitutes alternative or complementary medicine if the treatment or advice meets certain requirements. The Osteopathic Act provides for the licensure and regulation of osteopathic physicians and surgeons by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California and requires the board to enforce the Medical Practice Act with respect to its licensees. This bill would prohibit a physician and surgeon, including an osteopathic physician and surgeon, from recommending, prescribing, or providing integrative cancer treatment, as defined, to cancer patients unless certain requirements are met, including, but not limited to, that the treatment is recommended or prescribed after informed consent is given and that the treatment recommended or prescribed meets the evidence-based medical standard, as specified. The bill would specify that a failure of a physician and surgeon to comply with these requirements constitutes unprofessional conduct and cause for discipline by the applicable licensing board. The bill would require the State Department of Public Health to investigate violations of these provisions and to hold hearings with respect to compliance with these provisions. The bill would make conforming changes to other related provisions.