AG: Physicians not prohibited from prescribing off-label meds to fight C-19

Attorney General O'Connor Assures Oklahoma Physicians Are Not Prohibited From Prescribing Off-Label Medicines to Fight COVID-19

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb 8th) - Today, Attorney General John O’Connor responded to inquiries about whether an Oklahoma licensed physician is prohibited from prescribing a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the “off-label” purpose of treating or preventing COVID-19.

The Attorney General’s office finds no legal basis for a state medical licensure board to discipline a licensed physician for exercising sound judgement and safely prescribing an FDA-approved drug – like ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine – for the off-label purpose of treating a patient with COVID-19.

“I stand behind doctors who believe it is in their patients’ best interests to receive ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine,” said Attorney General O’Connor. “Our healthcare professionals should have every tool available to combat COVID-19. Public safety demands this. Physicians who prescribe medications and follow the law should not fear disciplinary action for prescribing such drugs.”

The Attorney General’s office neither condones nor condemns a specific course of treatment for COVID-19. Our office maintains that proper healthcare decisions are to be made between a patient and his or her physician, and the government should not interfere with their relationship.

State Reps. Sean Roberts (left) and Kevin West (right)

Roberts, West Respond to AG Statement Regarding Off-Label Treatment and Prevention of COVID-19

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 9th) – Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, and Rep. Kevin West, R-Oklahoma City, today issued statements regarding Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor's response to the legality of disciplinary actions against doctors who use off-label therapeutics to treat or prevent COVID-19.

In his statement yesterday, O'Connor said that the Attorney General's office finds "no legal basis for a state medical licensure board to discipline a licensed physician for exercising sound judgment and safely prescribing an FDA-approved drug – like ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine – for the off-label purpose of treating a patient with COVID-19."

"This statement, put out by Attorney General O'Connor, in response to requests submitted by myself and Rep. West, is a significant step forward in pushing back against the medical tyranny that is occurring across not only the state but the entire country," Roberts said. "Doctors should not have to fear prescribing a safe and effective drug for off-label use because they know what is best for their patients. The FDA, CDC, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Medical Licensing Board, and other governmental agencies may think they know what is best, but in reality, everyone's health is different. Health is never one size fits all, and we shouldn't allow our government to go after a doctor who is, in good faith and with informed consent, prescribing medicine to treat their patients. I want to thank Attorney General O'Connor and his team for stepping up and making this statement to protect the rights of doctors to treat and care for their patients as they see fit."

"I do not think the government, or governmental agencies, should be getting in the way of patients making decisions about their own healthcare in consultation with their physicians," West said. "I am glad that Attorney General O'Connor agrees that the individual rights of patients should not be infringed upon, and the final decision on healthcare treatments for COVID-19 should remain between a doctor and a patient, without fear of retribution from governmental agencies."

The Attorney General's statement concluded by saying that their office neither condones nor condemns a specific course of treatment for COVID-19. They maintained that proper healthcare decisions are to be made between a patient and his or her physician, and the government should not interfere with their relationship.