DATE: Tuesday, November 18, 1997            TAG: 9711180274

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B7   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

DATELINE: MANASSAS                          LENGTH:   37 lines

JUDGE CLEARS DOCTOR'S AIDE IN INVESTIGATION OF CANCER CASE

Citing a lack of evidence, a judge Monday dropped charges against a doctor's assistant who helped administer possibly fatal aloe vera treatments to dying cancer patients.

Ronald Ragan Sheetz worked for Dr. Donald MacNay, an orthopedic surgeon under investigation in the deaths of three patients.

MacNay charged $12,000 for intravenous aloe vera treatments that are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. His medical license was suspended last month and a criminal investigation is continuing.

Sheetz, 41, had been charged with practicing nursing without a license and obtaining drugs - painkillers and methamphetamines - by fraud. Prosecutor Paul Ebert said Sheetz performed invasive procedures, such as administering an IV, that require a nursing license.

Sheetz's lawyer, Mark Newman, said Sheetz had no nursing license but said ``there's been no evidence the actions being taken require a license.''

Judge Charles F. Sievers agreed and dropped the charges against Sheetz.

Authorities say three cancer patients died after receiving aloe vera injections from MacNay: an 83-year-old Texas man who died in May on the day he was treated, a 41-year-old Michigan man and a 57-year-old Alabama man.

Aloe vera, a cactus-like house plant, is thought to heal cuts and burns when its milky juice is applied to skin. Its juice is often added to ointments. But it is not approved by the FDA for intravenous use.

Before his license was suspended, MacNay said only that the aloe vera treatment is intended to help the immune system, and usually works best in healthier patients.

The Virginia Board of Medicine could revoke or reinstate MacNay's license at a hearing next month.

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