Texas AG Ken Paxton Supports Houston Doctor in Ivermectin Case

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is stepping into a growing medical and legal dispute in Houston, supporting a local physician known for prescribing ivermectin to COVID-19 patients. The doctor, Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, is challenging the Texas Medical Board after it opened a disciplinary case tied to her use of the controversial medication.

Paxton filed a brief this week siding with Bowden, arguing that the Medical Board overreached in its investigation. Bowden has long defended her decision to prescribe ivermectin, saying patients sought alternatives during the peak of the pandemic. The Board maintains that disciplinary action is appropriate when treatments fall outside accepted standards of care.

Why the Case Matters for Houston

Bowden gained national attention in 2021 for promoting ivermectin use, even as major medical groups warned against prescribing it for COVID-19. The ongoing regulatory fight highlights a broader debate about physician autonomy, public health oversight, and medical misinformation—issues that continue to resonate across Houston’s healthcare landscape.

Paxton’s involvement elevates the dispute beyond a routine disciplinary review. By challenging the Board’s authority, his office is positioning the case as a question of government transparency and medical freedom. For Houston residents, the outcome may influence how future public health guidelines are enforced and how independent doctors navigate controversial treatments.

What’s Next

The case is still moving through the appeals process. If Bowden succeeds, it could reshape how state medical regulators pursue disciplinary actions and may embolden other physicians who dispute mainstream COVID-19 treatment protocols. If the Medical Board prevails, it would reinforce the state’s ability to intervene when doctors promote treatments that fall outside nationally recognized standards.

Regardless of the ruling, the dispute underscores the lasting tension between medical innovation, regulatory oversight, and public trust—especially in a city with one of the world’s largest and most influential medical communities.

This article is a summary of reporting by Houston Public Media. Read the full story here.