Physician Fined and License Restricted for Improper Ivermectin Prescriptions and COVID-19 Misinformation
The Washington Medical Commission has taken disciplinary action against Dr. Richard Wilkinson, a physician who had been prescribing ivermectin to patients as a treatment for COVID-19 and spreading misinformation. The actions of Dr. Wilkinson came to light through an investigative report by The Chronicle on August 25th.
According to the details outlined in the report, Dr. Wilkinson had prescribed ivermectin, an antiparasitic medication, to seven patients between August and December 2021. However, his prescriptions lacked adequate documentation of a valid medical rationale for using ivermectin for COVID-19, and he failed to inform his patients that the drug was not approved by the FDA for treating or preventing COVID-19.
As a consequence of his actions, the Washington Medical Commission imposed a fine of $15,000 on Dr. Wilkinson and placed restrictions on his medical license. His license has been placed on probation for a duration of five years. During this probationary period, Dr. Wilkinson is prohibited from prescribing ivermectin for any purposes not approved by the FDA. Furthermore, he has been instructed to undergo a clinical competency assessment within the next six months.
Dr. Wilkinson has expressed contemplation over the possibility of appealing the Commission’s decision. He is also a participant in a broader legal battle against the medical commission, along with three other physicians, regarding their stance on COVID-19 misinformation.
This lawsuit has been initiated by the Silent Majority Foundation on behalf of the physicians involved. The lawsuit alleges that the medical commission has been treating their position statement on COVID-19 misinformation as a binding rule, even though it was not officially adopted through the appropriate rulemaking procedures. Pete Serrano, the director and general counsel of the Silent Majority Foundation, who is representing the physicians, has highlighted that the fundamental issue is the lack of adherence to the proper notice and comment period during the rule adoption process. Serrano argues that even if the commission had followed the necessary rulemaking procedures, the position statement infringes on the physicians’ rights to freedom of speech.
The lawsuit hearing is scheduled to take place on August 30th, where the arguments and legal aspects surrounding this case will be further deliberated. The outcome of this hearing will likely have significant implications for both Dr. Wilkinson and the other physicians involved, as well as for the broader context of medical misinformation and disciplinary actions within the medical community.
