PA Defends Against License Suspension for COVID Treatment

Editor's note: Find the latest COVID-19 news and guidance in Medscape's Coronavirus Resource Center.

A physician assistant who runs a pediatric clinic in the state of Washington says he'll fight against a license suspension over prescribing ivermectin as a cure for COVID, among other allegations.

The suspension stemmed from allegations against Scott C. Miller, PA-C, by at least six COVID patients, including some who weren't his patients or whom he never examined and a few who later died from the virus, according to the Washington Medical Commission.

Scott C. Miller, PA-C

"Miller's treatment of COVID-19 patients fell below the standard of care," the suspension report states. "Miller began a public campaign promoting ivermectin as a curative for COVID-19, and prescribing it without adequate examination to at least one person, with no reliable clinical studies that establish its efficacy in preventing or treating COVID-19."

Miller has until early November to respond to the allegations. On his clinic's website, Miller stated, "In response to the charges, I want to reassure all of you that the initial attacks against me have been brought on by a small handful of people that have no ties to our medical practice, and by pharmacies and hospitals that have a zero tolerance policy on family members asking that I help them advocate for loved ones that have been admitted and written off in our current system of dismissiveness and neglect."

Miller also expressed gratitude for the support he has received recently. A GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Miller's legal fund had raised more than $59,000 at press time. The GoFundMe page had been shared 2400 times. It has more than 550 followers and more than 400 donors.

"I don't know that I have the words to adequately describe the deep sense of love and connection I have received from you, the families I serve, and those that have reached out to me in this deeply challenging time," he wrote on the clinic website.

Miller has spoken publicly about his anti-mask views and his support for ivermectin, according to the commission report. As part of the suspension, he was charged with making "misleading representations regarding the efficacy of non-FDA approved treatment and mask use."

In one case that was cited in the report, a 39-year-old patient contacted the pediatric clinic, and Miller spoke with the patient by phone. The patient reported that he had tested positive for COVID. Miller advised the patient to take supplements, including vitamin D and C, zinc, and melatonin, and he prescribed ivermectin, dexamethasone, and azithromycin. He did not perform an exam, verify the information that the patient had provided, advise the patient regarding interactions, or order follow-up testing, the report states.

Other charges against Miller include harassing hospital staff by making threatening statements about hospitals and doctors who treat COVID-19 patients and misrepresenting his original 2013 license application. He denied on the application that he was being investigated by another licensing board. At the time, the California Physician Assistant Board was investigating him for providing medical care and prescribing without a supervising doctor's authorization and without conducting physical exams, among other charges.

For more news, follow Medscape on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Medscape Medical News © 2021 

Send news tips to news@medscape.net.

Cite this: PA Defends Against License Suspension for COVID Treatment - Medscape - Oct 19, 2021.