NJ Suspends License Of Doc Accused Of Unsafe Penis, Breast Enhancements

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — New Jersey officials have temporarily suspended the license of a doctor in Essex County, accusing him of performing “invasive” procedures such as penis and breast enhancements with “little regard for the health and safety of his patients.”

On Tuesday, Acting Attorney General Andrew Bruck announced that the State Board of Medical Examiners has temporarily suspended the license of Muhammad A. Mirza, a board-certified internist whose primary office is located on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove.

Prosecutors said Mirza advertises and performs a variety of cosmetic enhancement services through his Mirza Aesthetics practice, which he operates primarily from rental spaces in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

In particular, Mirza’s improper use of certain dermal fillers for off-label purposes – including non-surgical penile and breast enhancements – poses a “clear and imminent danger” to the public, the complaint alleges.

According to prosecutors:

“In one instance, Mirza’s use of an injectable dermal filler in a nonsurgical penile enhancement procedure allegedly caused permanent harm to a patient who suffered complications that required his hospitalization, where he underwent two emergency surgical interventions. When consulted by an emergency room physician regarding his treatment of the patient, Mirza allegedly failed to accurately disclose the exact filler he injected into the patient’s penis, further complicating the patient’s post-procedure emergency care.”

Mirza has denied the allegations. He has agreed to the temporary suspension of his license until his case is heard by an administrative law judge, and until further action from the board, prosecutors said.

In addition to temporarily suspending Mirza’s license to practice medicine in New Jersey, the interim consent order announced Tuesday prohibits him from treating New Jersey patients in any other location where he is licensed to practice, including New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

Prosecutors allege that Mirza engaged in “repeated acts of negligence, professional misconduct, gross negligence and endangerment,” and other professional standards violations that include:

• “Improper off-label use of an injectable dermal filler for aesthetic procedures close to patients’ eyes, which, if done incorrectly, can lead to loss of vision or permanent blindness”
• “Improper off-label use of an injectable dermal filler for breast enhancement, which can obfuscate patients’ mammogram results”
• “Using a certain injectable dermal filler without performing a skin allergy test on patients prior to injection, as required, which can cause patients to suffer acute episodes of hypotension, breathing difficulties and other allergic reactions”

The Enforcement Bureau of the Division of Consumer Affairs opened an investigation into Mirza and Mirza Aesthetics in April 2021, after the board received multiple consumer complaints about the doctor and his practice.

According to prosecutors, patients alleged that Mirza:

• Failed to wear a mask or medical surgical gloves while performing procedures
• Used high pressure sales tactics
• Would not disclose what products he was using or show the product's packaging to them
• Caused physical complications like a lump and seizure
• Failed to respond to post-procedure complaints and/or requests for records
• Performed aesthetic procedures in an area described as a “small storage closet” and “closet area with a bench”

According to prosecutors, investigators conducted a subsequent inspection of Mirza’s office in Summit, finding that:

• “The medical office consisted of one large room with a curtain used as a divider between the waiting room/receptionist area and the patient examination/treatment area”
• “The examination/treatment area had only chairs and a fold-away table, with no medical examination table”
• “Mirza’s supply of injectable fillers was stored in duffle bags, and no medical storage refrigerators were observed on the premise”

Prosecutors released a statement that provides more details about the allegations:

“Traveling from office to office, carrying medical products in duffle bags, Mirza allegedly sees up to 30 patients daily in makeshift spaces with substandard protocols for medical recordkeeping, patient follow-up, and storage of medical supplies, including products that require refrigeration and strict temperature control. In a verified complaint filed with the board, the state alleges that Mirza’s practice of aesthetic medicine grossly deviates from accepted standards of medical care because he performs procedures in a manner that could cause bodily harm, lacks formal medical training and an adequate knowledge of aesthetic medicine, performs procedures in inappropriate office settings, and fails to properly store medical supplies or maintain records.”

“The temporary measures announced today make full use of the board’s authority to ensure New Jersey residents are adequately protected while this case moves forward,” said Sean Neafsey, acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Prosecutors said that patients who believe that they have been treated by a licensed health care professional in an inappropriate manner can file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.

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