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Helpful advice if you have worries about your doctor

Posted at 12:22 AM, Sep 21, 2013
and last updated 2013-09-21 00:22:41-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- Officials are offering advice after area patients contacted CBS 6 after their doctor's license was suspended and they can no longer get their prescriptions refilled.

CBS 6 News reported earlier this week that Dr. Saifullah K. Niazi's medical license was suspended by the state.

"I was overwhelmed that he finally got caught," said Carrie Smith, who spent a year under the care of Dr. Niazi.

Smith said that during that time she became concerned about the medicine she was being prescribed.

"Some of these doctors, they don't take time to listen to the patients," Smith said. "They think the only thing that's going to help us, is medication."

With more than 350,000 health care practitioners and facilities under the Virginia Department of Health Professions, officials are asking the public to contact them if they have questions or concerns.

"If you have a concern about your treatment or care... And you have questions about the laws and regulations, you would call the board," said Faye Lemon, the department's enforcement director. "If you have a complaint, that you would like to lodge, you would call the enforcement division of the Department of Health Professions."

Additionally, Lemon said if their investigation turns up something criminal, the department will work with commonwealth's attorney's and local law enforcement.

Call 1-800-533-160 or go to www.dhp.virg if you have a complaint or concern about your health care practitioner.

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