TMB provides update on COVID-19 response

Wayne Wenske

August 24, 2020

The Texas Medical Board (TMB) has issued a statement to update physicians on the TMB’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The August 21 statement includes the following points.

The TMB clarified its stance on COVID-19 treatments, such as hydroxychloroquine. “The TMB does not prohibit any drug or treatment…As is the case with any alternative therapy, physicians must ensure they comply with Board Rule 200, which requires physicians to provide full disclosure of treatment options, side effects, and obtain informed consent.”
In addition, the TMB states that Texas physicians should not fear disciplinary action for supporting specific COVID-19 treatments such as hydroxychloroquine, but they also emphasize that “there is no cure” and “claims of a cure may constitute false, misleading or deceptive advertising, which is prohibited by law and may prompt an inquiry from the TMB.”
The TMB has issued more than 2,700 emergency licenses and re-activated licenses for 55 retired licensees, since the beginning of the pandemic. TMB President Sherif Z. Zaafran, M.D, shares, “Our incredible staff has managed to issue or reactivate these licenses in a mere 1 to 3 business days.”
The TMB continues to work with the Governor’s Office “to help expand the use of telemedicine and relieve administrative requirements of licensees by extending deadlines for licensure renewals and in-person continuing medical education.”

The full statement is available online.