Texas Medical Board takes 'corrective action' against Dr. Stella Immanuel over hydroxychloroquine prescription for COVID patient

The Texas Medical Board last month took a “corrective action” against Houston’s Dr. Stella Immanuel after she prescribed hydroxychloroquine to treat a patient’s COVID-19 infection without adequately explaining the health consequences, according to medical board records. Immanuel, who gained national attention last year for pushing the drug as a “cure” for COVID, previously told the Chronicle that she used hydroxychloroquine to treat hundreds of patients. In numerous studies, COVID patients have experienced no meaningful benefit from the medication, and some research points to a greater risk of heart rhythm problems. In an Oct. 15 decision, the medical board ordered Immanuel to submit proof of informed consent — or permission given by a patient who understands the possible health outcomes — for all off-label treatments she provides.

She must adopt policies that require all consent documents to be reviewed and signed by the patient for off-label treatment. She also must pay $500 to the medical board. Immanuel could not immediately be reached for comment. Medical board documents do not include any details about the patient who was prescribed hydroxychloroquine. It is unclear whether the medication caused any adverse health effects. Medical board spokesman Jarrett Schnieder said he could not provide further information. The move is a “corrective action” that is considered “non-disciplinary,” according to medical board records. Immanuel appeared before board members in a June 12 video conference. She did not admit or deny the findings and cooperated with the investigation, the medical board said. A violation of the board’s order could lead to discipline, the board said. Born in Cameroon, Immanuel graduated in 1990 from the University of Calabar in Nigeria and completed a residency at a Bronx, N.Y., hospital.