Doctors Sue FDA Over Ivermectin for Covid
Three doctors have filed suit in a Texas federal court protesting FDA’s attempts to block the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19. According to The Texan, the complaint says the agency has approved ivermectin for human use since 1996 for several diseases. But after the Covid-19 pandemic started, it says, FDA began publishing documents and social media posts to “give the impression that the anti-viral drug was dangerous for human consumption.”
The doctors say FDA acted outside of its authority and illegally interfered in their ability to practice medicine by publicly directing health professionals and patients not to use ivermectin.
One of the doctors, Houston, TX-based ear, nose, and throat specialist Mary Talley Bowden told a virtual news conference she has kept 3,900 Covid patients out of the hospital by using ivermectin and other medications, but that the FDA statements interfered with her work.
“The FDA smear campaign against ivermectin is a daily hurdle I must overcome,” Bowden reportedly said. “Still two-and-one-half years into this, this is still a hurdle. Pharmacists won’t dispense it, insurance companies won’t pay for it, and I have patients who want reassurance that it is safe to take. I tell them it’s actually the safest medication I’ve ever prescribed.”
The suit cites federal law that FDA may not interfere with the authority of a healthcare provider to prescribe or administer any legally marketed device to a patient for any condition or disease within a legitimate healthcare practitioner/patient relationship.
Another of the doctor plaintiffs reportedly said FDA’s attempts to block the use of ivermectin could be responsible for 400,000 to 600,000 Covid deaths.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare FDA actions or opinions about off-label use of ivermectin unlawful and to enjoin the agency from further interference.