Tri-Cities doctor fined after prescribing ivermectin for COVID. 2nd physician charged

A Tri-Cities doctor has been fined $5,000 and ordered to take continuing education classes after he prescribed ivermectin for treatment or prevention of COVID-19.

The Washington Medical Commission investigated as it learned of five patients Dr. Wei-Hsung Lin, who works at a Kadlec Regional Medical Center clinic in Richland, had prescribed ivermectin related to COVID-19 in 2021.

The sanctions are part of an order agreed to by Lin and the medical commission .

Lin is one of two Tri-Cities doctors known to be the subjects of Washington Medical Commission investigations after prescribing ivermectin related to COVID-19.

Ivermectin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of COVID-19, although it is approved for other uses.

Merck & Co., which is the primary manufacturer of ivermectin in the United States, has concluded there is no scientific basis for using ivermectin related to COVID-19 and a lack of safety data in clinical studies conducted with COVID-19 patients.

The Washington Medical Commission was particularly concerned that Lin gave one patient a double prescription of ivermectin so his wife, who was not Lin’s patient, could take half of the pills.

It also noted “an apparent lack of remorse” by Lin.

However, it said there was a good chance that moving forward Lin could correct the issues it identified.

In 2021, Lin was one of many speakers at a rally with hundreds of Hanford nuclear site and other workers on federal projects who had been given a December deadline to show they were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

He opposed mandatory vaccination then, questioning whether it was safe and effective.

He immigrated from China at age 24, and he likened the COVID-19 vaccine mandate to China’s former policy of allowing couples to have only one child, with enforcement that ranged from fines to abortions and sterilization.

Kadlec said in a statement that it fully cooperated with the Washington state Department of Health investigation once it was aware of the alleged violation by one of its doctors.

“While Kadlec does not recommend or allow ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19, we respect the rights of patients and physicians to discuss and explore all available treatment options, based on patients’ unique health and medical situations,” it said.

It is pleased the matter is resolved, it said.

Lin’s ivermectin cases

In the cases detailed by the agreed order, Lin prescribed ivermectin to a man, age 69, with congestive heart failure who was taking an anticoagulation prescription. Combining the two medications can increase the risk of internal bleeding.

He was the same patient who Lin prescribed a double dose of ivermectin so the man’s wife, who had apparent COVID-19 symptoms, could also use it.

The couple discussed the prescription with their son, who cautioned them against taking ivermectin, and neither took the medication.

Lin prescribed ivermectin treatment for five days to another patient who had tested positive for COVID. After taking the pills for four days her symptoms had not improved and she was hospitalized for several days with respiratory issues due to COVID pneumonia.

A different patient had a rash and other symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, weight loss, pain and fatigue after COVID vaccinations.

Lin prescribed ivermectin without considering other reasons for her symptoms, according to the agreed order.

In most of the cases, Lin’s notes did not indicate an adequate discussion with his patients of alternative treatments to ivermectin or an adequate discussion of ivermectin and its possible risks, according to the agreed order.

In addition to paying the fine, Lin must take continuing education courses on prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and on physician-patient relationships and maintaining a medical record. He must submit papers of at least 1,000 words on what he learns about both topics.

Annual compliance audits and reports from Lin every six months are required. After three years he may petition the medical commission to end the additional oversight.

2nd Tri-Cities doctor

Dr. Michael Kwame Turner of the Tri-Cities also has been charged with unprofessional conduct for prescribing ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19.

Turner is among four doctors who have filed a lawsuit against the Washington Medical Commission with the help of the Silent Majority Foundation based in Pasco over the medical commission’s policies on COVID, including prescribing ivermectin.

Enforcement action against Turner is pending after a statement of charges was filed about a year ago, according to the Washington state Department of Health website. A hearing was held recently.

Pete Serrano, an attorney who also is the Pasco mayor and a director of the Silent Majority Foundation, represented Lin in his agreed order with the medical commission.

The Washington Medical Commission, the state agency that investigates physicians and physician assistants for unprofessional conduct, has adopted a position statement that says the commission relies on the FDA approval of medication for COVID-19 treatment as the standard of care.