Court Rules in Favor of Doctors in Lawsuit Against FDA Over Anti-Ivermectin Campaign

A federal appeals court has revived a lawsuit brought by three doctors who claim that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) overstepped its authority in its campaign against using the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin to treat COVID-19.

Ivermectin is commonly used to treat parasites in livestock, but it has also been prescribed for humans. Some conservatives have championed it as a treatment for COVID-19, although the FDA has not approved it for this purpose due to a lack of scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness.

The court ruling focused on various aspects of the FDA’s campaign against using ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment. While acknowledging reports of people being hospitalized after self-medicating with ivermectin meant for livestock, the court found that the FDA’s campaign often failed to mention that the drug is sometimes prescribed for humans. The doctors’ lawsuit argues that the FDA’s campaign exceeded the agency’s authority under federal law.

The lawsuit had been dismissed by a U.S. District Judge, who ruled that the complaints did not overcome the FDA’s “sovereign immunity.” However, the appeals court panel concluded that the FDA’s alleged overstepping of its authority allowed the lawsuit to proceed.

The three doctors named in the lawsuit claim that their reputations were harmed by the FDA campaign. One doctor lost admitting privileges at a Texas hospital, while another alleges that he lost his positions at a medical school and hospital due to promoting the use of ivermectin.

The FDA has not yet responded to the court ruling.

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