Boroondara Medical Centre doctor Annie Zhao suspended for dishing out testosterone, steroids

A Camberwell anti-ageing doctor has been sidelined after a tribunal heard allegations she dished out roids to gym junkies for cash.

Dr Annie Zhao was suspended for professional misconduct. Picture: Google

A Camberwell anti-ageing doctor has been sprung dishing out testosterone injections and other performance-enhancing drugs to gym junkies.

Boroondara Medical Centre’s Dr Annie Zhao had her medical registration cancelled for 12 months after a tribunal heard allegations she prescribed testosterone to patients who she knew wanted to “improve their performance in body building”.

It was alleged Dr Zhao was paid cash to “provide services” to these patients and was aware the gym junkies were dealing performance-enhancing drugs, the tribunal was told.

The tribunal determined Dr Zhao prescribed testosterone enanthate injections and various other drugs and steroids including Mesterelone to 12 patients “without clinical justification”.

The potent drugs can cause serious health issues, including shrunk testicles, baldness, high blood pressure, liver complaints, and even increase the risk of prostate cancer, the tribunal was told.

Dr Zhao’s conduct occurred while she practised at Box Hill Family Clinic but her treatment of multiple Boroondara Medical Centre patients was also scrutinised by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

APHRA auditor Dr Gillian Singleton provided an independent opinion of Dr Zhao’s practices to the tribunal.

Dr Singleton said she had “significant concerns” about the care Dr Zhao provided to multiple patients.

“All four patients were young men who expressed interest in attending the gym regularly and/or wanting to improve their muscle mass,” Dr Singleton outlined in her report.

“All four cases involved inadequate documentation and a lack of justification for the medications provided which I believe posed risks to each of the individuals.

“There were also examples of inadequate assessment and lack of continuity of care.

“I believe that the care provided in these cases was substantially below the standard expected of a GP …

“Each individual had medications prescribed that were not clinically indicated and that appear to have been prescribed to aid the individuals in increasing muscle bulk …

“Some of the medications potentially posed risks to the individual’s health … (and) possible increased risk of prostate cancer.”

Dr Zhao, in a letter to the tribunal, “acknowledged” her treatment was “not evidence based or therapeutically necessary”.

Dr Zhao also used her “regenerative and anti-ageing medicine” training background as a reason for her misconduct.

Dr Zhao, via her counsel, submitted the “cultural and medical norms” she experienced while at an anti-ageing practice in China “directly led to the transgressions”.

However, Dr Zhao’s submissions left the tribunal “perplexed”.

“(The statements) raise serious concerns as to the respondent’s comprehension of her responsibilities as a medical practitioner, under Australian regulation, at the relevant time,” the tribunal determined.

“The respondent’s reflections provide no evidence regarding reasons for and insight into her misconduct.”

Dr Zhao, who previously worked at Ballarat Base Hospital before joining the Boroondara clinic in September 2018, must complete a Medical Board of Australia approved education program before she can practise again.

Dr Zhao’s suspension will commence on October 1 to allow her time to “cease practising in an orderly manner”.