In recent news, Washington state physician Wei-Hsung Lin, MD, was fined $5,000 by the state’s medical board for prescribing ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lin, who practices at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington, will also have to take continuing medical education (CME) classes on COVID and on the patient-physician relationship. The Washington Medical Commission cited Lin for substandard care of five patients in 2021, leading to severe consequences for his actions.
One notable case involved Lin prescribing ivermectin to a 69-year-old man with a long history of heart ailments and other health issues. Despite the patient taking anticoagulants, Lin prescribed a double dose of ivermectin, putting the patient at risk of drug interactions and internal bleeding. In another case, Lin prescribed ivermectin to a 71-year-old woman with COVID-19, resulting in her hospitalization for pneumonia after her symptoms failed to improve. Additionally, Lin prescribed ivermectin to a 37-year-old woman experiencing symptoms after the COVID vaccine, based on his assessment of spike protein effects in the body.
As a result of his actions, Lin is now prohibited from prescribing ivermectin for non-FDA-approved indications and is required to have in-person or video appointments before prescribing medications to patients. He must also complete CME courses on COVID prevention, treatment, and management, as well as on the physician-patient relationship and maintaining medical records. Lin will need to submit papers reflecting what he has learned on both topics and adhere to compliance audits and personal reports about his compliance with the board’s order.
Kadlec Regional Medical Center, where Lin practices, emphasized that while they do not recommend or allow ivermectin for COVID-19, they respect the rights of patients and physicians to explore all available treatment options. In contrast, four other doctors in Washington state are challenging the medical board’s position on COVID misinformation, highlighting the contentious nature of prescribing practices during the pandemic. However, overall, few clinicians have faced disciplinary action for their actions during the COVID pandemic, making Lin’s case a cautionary tale for practitioners.
The case of Dr. Wei-Hsung Lin serves as a harsh reminder of the consequences of inappropriate prescribing practices during public health crises. The importance of evidence-based medicine and adherence to established guidelines cannot be understated, especially when dealing with novel diseases like COVID-19. Moving forward, it is essential for healthcare providers to prioritize patient safety and ensure that their actions align with best practices to avoid similar disciplinary actions and potential harm to patients.
Leave a Reply