CT med board recommends suspension of doctor who prescribed anti-parasite drug for COVID
The state Medical Examining Board on Tuesday recommended suspension of a Westport doctor’s medical license for prescribing a drug used to treat parasites in animals and humans for a patient who had COVID-19.
Dr. Robban Sica also “issued a letter exempting Patient 1 from the ‘COVID vaccine or influenza vaccine’ without clinical and/or medical justification” on April 6, 2021, according to an amended statement of charges filed with the state Department of Public Health.
The statement of charges said that on Sept. 30, 2021, the patient left a message for Sica saying she had COVID-19. Sica then prescribed ivermectin for the patient, it said.
On its web page, “Why You Should Not Use Ivermectin to Treat or Prevent COVID-19,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration states, “Currently available data do not show ivermectin is effective against COVID-19. Clinical trials assessing ivermectin tablets for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in people are ongoing. Taking large doses of ivermectin is dangerous.”
The FDA says ivermectin can be used to treat parasitic worms, head lice and rosacea.
The statement of charges against Sica allege she failed to examine or assess the patient before prescribing ivermectin; failed to obtain patient consent and inform the patient of the risks of using the drug for COVID; failed to refer her to an appropriate health care practitioner; and inappropriately prescribed ivermectin.
Sica’s attorney, Cameron Atkinson of Harwinton, said Tuesday, “We have no objection to the amendment of the charges, but we will be contesting them going forward.”
In another case, the board unanimously voted to recommend suspension of the medical and surgical licenses of Dr. David K. Israel because, according to the motion for summary suspension filed with DPH, his alleged “ability to practice medicine represents a clear and immediate danger to the public health and safety.”
The suspension was “reciprocal discipline” based on a case by the New York state Board for Professional Medical Conduct.
On Nov. 22, the New York board suspended Israel’s license in that state because he allegedly “is completely unfit to continue practicing medicine and is a danger to the public … maintains and unhygienic office, lives with patients, and has a substance abuse problem,” according to the Connecticut motion.
In addition, the New York order said he prescribed medication “without documenting medical justification for those prescriptions.”
The Connection motion listed similar charges of “illegal, incompetent and/or negligent conduct in the practice of medicine,” as well as alleged interfering with the treatment of patients by other healthcare professionals and violating “patient-physician professional boundaries.”
Israel spoke to the board, saying he had written a letter stating he was concerned that his license in Connecticut was in jeopardy because of the New York decision, which he considered unfair “based on hearsay evidence that I was contesting.”
“The evidence against me is not direct … and I have been working in Connecticut for several months without problems,” Israel said. “I don’t do drugs and statements of fact actually were not facts.”
He said he hoped “Connecticut would not make a summary judgment without looking at the facts first.”
Israel is entitled to a hearing on the recommended suspension within two weeks if possible, according to Dr. Steven Wolf, acting chairman of the board.
Ed Stannard can be reached at estannard@courant.com.