A Skokie doctor is facing federal charges for allegedly using veterinary catheters to perform medical fertility procedures on his patients, according to federal authorities.
Dr. Joel G. Brasch was charged Wednesday for unlawfully using veterinary catheter devices on his patients from 2016 to 2018 as part of their intrauterine insemination treatments, according to a news release from U.S. Department of Justice.
The devices are considered “adulterated in that they had not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use on human patients,” according to the release.
Intrauterine insemination is a medical fertility procedure.
Brasch, 61, of Skokie, is specifically charged with receipt in interstate commerce and delivery of an adulterated device, the release said. The charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of a year in federal prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Arraignment in federal court has not yet been scheduled.
Brasch is listed as the medical director of Chicago IVF, which has locations in Orland Park, St. Charles, Warrenville and two location in Northwest Indiana.
Chicago IVF did not immediately respond to requests for a comment. Brasch could not immediately be reached for comment.
“The use of a veterinary device in a medical procedure like IUI poses a danger to the health and safety of patients,” said John R. Lausch, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, in the release. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who endanger the public health through the use of adulterated medical devices.”
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Using instruments designed for animal can put patients at risk, according to the release.
“In procedures such as IUI, every step should strictly follow protocols in order to protect the patient’s health and safety and ensure the efficacy of the procedure,” a representative from the Food and Drug Administration said in the release.
Brian L. Cox is a freelance reporter.