General NewsGovernment regulationsLawsuitsNew OrleansPoliticsTexasU.S. Food and Drug Administration Court revives doctors’ lawsuit saying FDA overstepped its authority with anti-ivermectin campaign by Ryan Lee September 2, 2023 written by Ryan Lee September 2, 2023 0 comments Bookmark 66 Federal Appeals Court Resurrects Lawsuit by Doctors Alleging FDA Exceeded Authority in Anti-Ivermectin Campaign In a recent development, a federal appeals court has given new life to a lawsuit filed by three medical professionals who contend that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) went beyond its jurisdiction in a campaign opposing the utilization of the anti-parasite medication ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. Ivermectin, a compound widely employed to address parasitic infections in livestock, has garnered attention as a potential COVID-19 treatment, particularly championed by conservative voices. Nevertheless, the FDA has refrained from granting approval for the utilization of ivermectin as a remedy for COVID-19 due to a lack of substantiated evidence from studies demonstrating its efficacy. The FDA has not promptly responded to requests for commentary concerning this matter. The recent ruling handed down by a panel of three judges from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal in New Orleans, which transpired on Friday, scrutinized multiple facets of the FDA’s drive against the use of ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment. The verdict acknowledged the FDA’s reception of reports detailing instances wherein individuals necessitated hospitalization after self-administering ivermectin designated for animal use. However, the ruling contended that the campaign—characterized at times by the catchphrase “You are not a horse!”—habitually omitted the fact that the medication is also at times prescribed for human usage. According to the ruling, the doctors are now permitted to proceed with their lawsuit, asserting that the FDA’s campaign exceeded the boundaries set by federal law. Judge Don Willett, composing the verdict on behalf of the panel which also consisted of Jennifer Walker Elrod and Edith Brown Clement, articulated, “FDA is not a physician. It has authority to inform, announce, and apprise—but not to endorse, denounce, or advise.” Willett elaborated that the doctors credibly argued that the FDA’s communications straddled the divide between informational and directive. The trio of medical professionals—Drs. Robert L. Apter, Mary Talley Bowden, and Paul E. Marik—initiated the lawsuit during the preceding year. All three plaintiffs averred that their professional reputations sustained harm as a consequence of the FDA’s campaign. Notably, the ruling noted that Bowden forfeited her admitting privileges at a Texas hospital, while Marik alleged the loss of his positions at a medical school and a hospital due to his advocacy for the use of ivermectin. The lawsuit, initially dismissed in December by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Vincent Brown, was thwarted on grounds that the complaints failed to surmount the concept of “sovereign immunity,” a legal doctrine shielding government entities from numerous civil litigations related to their responsibilities. However, the appellate panel maintained that the alleged transgression of authority by the FDA opened the door for the litigation to proceed. It’s noteworthy that Willett was nominated to the 5th Circuit by former President Donald Trump, whereas Clement and Elrod received their nominations from former President George W. Bush. Meanwhile, Brown’s nomination to the district court bench was attributed to President Trump. Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about FDA Lawsuit RevivalWhat is the main subject of this text?What is ivermectin and how is it commonly used?Why did the doctors file a lawsuit against the FDA?What is the FDA’s stance on using ivermectin to treat COVID-19?How did the federal appeals court ruling impact the lawsuit?What was the basis of the court’s ruling?Who are the doctors involved in the lawsuit and how were they affected?What was the previous status of the lawsuit before the appeals court ruling?More about FDA Lawsuit Revival Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about FDA Lawsuit Revival What is the main subject of this text? The main subject of this text is a lawsuit filed by doctors alleging that the FDA exceeded its authority in an anti-ivermectin campaign for COVID-19 treatment. What is ivermectin and how is it commonly used? Ivermectin is an anti-parasite drug used to treat livestock for parasitic infections. Why did the doctors file a lawsuit against the FDA? The doctors filed a lawsuit asserting that the FDA’s campaign against using ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment went beyond its authority. What is the FDA’s stance on using ivermectin to treat COVID-19? The FDA has not approved ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment due to the lack of proven efficacy through studies. How did the federal appeals court ruling impact the lawsuit? The federal appeals court ruling allowed the doctors to proceed with their lawsuit, contending that the FDA’s campaign exceeded its authority. What was the basis of the court’s ruling? The court ruled that while the FDA has the authority to inform and apprise, it doesn’t have the authority to endorse, denounce, or advise. Who are the doctors involved in the lawsuit and how were they affected? Drs. Robert L. Apter, Mary Talley Bowden, and Paul E. Marik initiated the lawsuit. Bowden lost admitting privileges, and Marik alleged losing positions due to the FDA campaign. What was the previous status of the lawsuit before the appeals court ruling? The lawsuit was initially dismissed based on the concept of “sovereign immunity,” protecting government entities from certain civil litigations. The appeals court deemed the FDA’s authority transgression as grounds to reopen the case. More about FDA Lawsuit Revival Federal appeals court revives lawsuit against FDA over anti-ivermectin campaign Ivermectin: Uses, safety, and COVID-19 FDA’s authority and responsibilities Background on the doctors’ lawsuit 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals You Might Be Interested In Key Developments as Israel Commences War and Intensifies Attacks on Gaza Strip Following Unprecedented Assault by Hamas Record-high Water Temperatures Cause Early Bleaching of Florida Keys Coral Reefs, Warn Scientists Wyoming Secures 4th Down and Executes 2-Point Conversion to Defeat Texas Tech 35-33 in Double Overtime FDA Widens Cantaloupe Recall Due to Surge in Salmonella Cases Palestinian families rejoice over release of minors and women in wartime prisoner swap Mother of 6-year-old boy who shot teacher gets 21 months for marijuana use while owning a gun COVID-19FDAfederal appeals courtGeneral Newsgovernment regulationsivermectinlawsuitLawsuitsmedical professionalsNew OrleansTexasU.S. Food and Drug Administration Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Ryan Lee Follow Author Ryan Lee is a technology journalist who covers the latest trends and developments in the world of tech. He is passionate about new gadgets and software, and he enjoys testing and reviewing the latest products to hit the market. previous post North Korea fires cruise missiles into the sea after US-South Korean military drills end next post In Mississippi, a tiny fish is reintroduced to the river where it disappeared 50 years ago You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Danny Masterson sent to state prison to serve... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Hong Kong man jailed for 6 years after... December 28, 2023 Bookmark AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Live updates | Israeli forces raid a West... December 28, 2023 Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ