Doctor Sues Board Over COVID Drug Inquiry
A Massachusetts physician is challenging a medical board investigation into her off-label prescribing practices.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in COVID-19
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Should medical boards face First Amendment restrictions when disciplining doctors for prescribing off-label treatments?
Dr. Tatiana Hamawi filed a federal lawsuit against the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine to halt disciplinary proceedings. The legal action claims the board is engaging in viewpoint discrimination regarding COVID-19 treatments.
Why it matters
The lawsuit alleges that the medical board’s investigation is fueled by political bias rather than clinical standards. It argues that disciplinary actions would violate the physician’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
Dr. Hamawi issued 172 combined prescriptions for ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine through 2024. Of that total, only 7 prescriptions were documented for the treatment of scabies.
The players
Tatiana Hamawi
A physician practicing in Massachusetts who is challenging state-level medical disciplinary procedures.
Board of Registration in Medicine
The Massachusetts state agency responsible for licensing and disciplining physicians.
Donald Trump
The current President of the United States who is cited in the lawsuit as a figure of political contention.
The details
The physician claims a formal complaint from a pulmonologist triggered the investigation due to political opposition to Donald Trump. One patient was previously hospitalized after experiencing a body-wide rash following a treatment regimen prescribed in August 2023.
Timeline
Dr. Hamawi began prescribing ivermectin for COVID-19 in December 2020.
The physician started prescribing hydroxychloroquine in 2022.
The Board of Registration in Medicine opened an investigation into the doctor's practice in 2023.
A patient developed a rash after treatment on August 24, 2023.
The board’s Complaint Committee discussed the case in October 2026.
The Big Picture
This case tests the scope of the First Amendment as it pertains to medical speech and professional standards. The lawsuit attempts to extend protections under the First Amendment to clinical off-label prescribing practices.
Patients in Massachusetts should be aware that the regulatory status of certain off-label treatments remains under review by state authorities. The ongoing litigation may influence how medical professionals in the region approach future prescription guidelines for non-standard treatments.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing tension between professional medical regulation and individual physician autonomy regarding off-label drug use. Residents are encouraged to consult their primary care providers about treatments that follow current evidence-based clinical standards.
Further reading
For broader context on current clinical guidance and state health policies, visit Massachusetts COVID-19.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Universal Hub.
Live Poll
Should medical boards face First Amendment restrictions when disciplining doctors for prescribing off-label treatments?
