“A doctor and a patient need to assess the data that’s out there, FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine, and that in the privacy of the doctor-patient relationship is where that decision should be made.”
I’m confused. Does the above mean that HCQ is available for any Dr to Rx for their patient?
Once a drop is approved by FDA for any indication (e.g. Malaria for HCQ), physicians care legally able to prescribe it for just about anything.
Insurance may not pay for HCQ being used for Covid-19, but this drug is really cheap...not a biggie!
Your state may have other ideas.
The FDA only determines if a medicine or device meets the requirements that the producer claims and ensures they are doing so safely.
Doctors are not regulated by the FDA - they are licensed by the individual state boards... similar to how lawyers are licensed by passing state bar exams.
If a doctor fails to meet the state practice requirements then the STate board could call them up and potentially remove their license to practice. But the bar for doing so is high since there is a presumption that a doctor and patient have agreed to a course of treatment. The patient has additional recourse through malpractice suits but has to show the doc knowingy did not follow proper practice.
There are guidelines and recommendations- but the doc can use his best judgement.