CARSON CITY -- The state Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners is being blamed for interfering with a panel created help make Nevada a place where alternative medical treatments could be made available to those suffering from serious illnesses.

The Nevada Institutional Review Board, or NIRB, has failed to accomplish its objectives, according to an audit by the Division of Internal Audits.

A former member of the Institutional Review Board, Dean Friesen, said the homeopathic board, which appoints four of seven members to the NIRB, deliberately interfered with the group's efforts.

The review board was making good progress until the interference, Friesen said.

In February, Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, said the homeopathic board has been "dysfunctional" in arguing that legislative auditors review the operation of the homeopathic board.

That audit was authorized by the Legislative Commission and is expected to be completed later this year.

The review board was created to review experimental medicines and medical procedures that could be offered to patients who might visit the state for treatment.

Those procedures includes such medical advances as stem cell research, which could prove a boon to Nevada and its economy, Schneider said earlier this year.

In a written response to the NIRB audit, Institutional Review Board Executive Director Robert Gentry said the homeopathic board "has withdrawn all (four) of its original appointments to the NIRB and failed to implement new appointments with qualified individuals."

The homeopathic board examines, licenses and regulates physicians practicing homeopathy and alternative medicine.

Friesen acknowledged the failure of the NIRB in comments Thursday to the Executive Branch Audit Committee, which includes Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Guinn said the allegations regarding the homeopathic board will be reviewed by audit staff, but he said there might not be a lot he can do.

Guinn said he typically does not have the power to change the leadership of a board or commission without a finding of serious wrongdoing.

It might be up to the Legislature because lawmakers control the purse strings and can change the operation or make-up of a board to make changes if they are found necessary, he said.

"We don't budget them; I have no removal power; we've got nothing," Guinn said.

The NIRB receives no public funding. It has operated with volunteers and through contributions.

There was no immediate comment from the homeopathic board.