Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed into law yesterday protections for healthcare providers from attacks, such as attempts to take their medical licenses when they prescribe off-label, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs, including ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine. While the mainstream media, such as St. Louis Public Radio, immediately emphasizes that the drugs “have not been shown to be effective in treating COVID-19,” the recent bill was signed ensuring prescribing doctors aren’t subject to formal usurpation of their ability to practice medicine.

As reported by St. Louis Public Radio, the protective language was included in a bill addressing professional licensing regulations and lacked exposure during the Governor’s recent public news announcement signing the legislation. Meaning, the Governor didn’t mention the contentious off-label drugs that were attached to the bill.

Known as HB2149, now when a doctor or pharmacist, for example, “lawfully” prescribes or dispenses ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine, they cannot be disciplined by licensing bodies in the state such as the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts or Board of Pharmacy, writes Tessa Weinberg for the Missouri Independent, part of States Newsroom, a network of news outlets supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence.

Last month, TrialSite reported that the Missouri lawmakers signed this same legislation that needed the Governor’s signature—which they got yesterday.

With this legislation, not only are prescribing physicians protected but also pharmacists cannot second guess a prescribing physician unless “the physician or patient inquires of the pharmacist” themselves about their effectiveness, reports Weinberg.

Democrats Countered

While this bill was driven by Republicans, select state Democrats mounted a counter-effort, which was led by Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, who was successful in ensuring the bill was attached in April. As Weinberg and others have noted, Brattin felt he had to include such an amendment because he needed to ensure “the weaponization of the board of healing arts does not occur with our physicians” over the two medications he reported have become “extremely politicized.”

This, of course, is a response to the aggressive tactics physicians and pharmacy licensing boards have taken to stop what they call the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 treatments. TrialSite reported that the FDA communicated with the federation of pharmacy and physician licensing boards to put pressure on state licensing boards.

Sen Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, went on the record, “I think that this kind of legislation to me is very short-sighted.” The FDA has taken an unusually proactive stance against the tradition of local physicians making local decisions with consenting patients.

https://www.trialsitenews.com/a/missouri-gov.-signs-new-law-protecting-physicians-when-they-prescribe-ivermectin-19247ce3