The woman repeatedly contacted Cvetkov to ask for information about the medications and invoices, but neither of these were provided to her.
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Cvetkov pleaded guilty on Thursday to knowingly or recklessly claiming to be a registered health practitioner, ending a long-running courtroom saga that was adjourned nine times.
In 2022, AHPRA banned Cvetkov from providing general health advice for life. The Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner had also issued a public health warning about Cvetkov following an investigation into her conduct.
A lawyer acting for Cvetkov said her client had no previous criminal record and had been practising naturopathy since 2000, holding a degree in health science as well as advanced diplomas in herbal medicine, natural medicine, fertility, naturopathy and endocrinology. She said it was common for naturopaths to refer to themselves as doctors.
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“She has never acknowledged that she is a medical doctor and has always held out that she is a naturopathic doctor,” the lawyer said.
She argued Cvetkov did not intend to mislead the woman and the medications provided were off-the-shelf supplements including amino acids and fish oil.
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The court heard a conviction would make it difficult for Cvetkov to find employment and she had faced significant personal challenges, including her house burning down in 2019.
Cvetkov no longer wants to work as a naturopath and is the sole caregiver for her two children.
Magistrate John Bentley said Cvetkov had taken advantage of a person in a vulnerable position.
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“She misled the person and made financial gain from it. Charged $1500 for phone consultations and pills that one could get from the chemist, probably for…considerably less.”
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While AHPRA had hoped that Cvetkov would be convicted, Bentley issued her with a $10,000 fine and ordered her to pay costs of $10,000.
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