All Posts Tagged With: "Rep. John Ward (DFL-District 12A)"

MN Medical Board: long term antibiotics ok for 5 years

The Minnesota Medical Practice Board reluctantly agreed to look the other way when Lyme doctors prescribe “long term” antibiotics for Lyme disease. Does this mean Lyme patients will be flocking to MN for Lyme treatment now? At least it is progress in the right direction…

http://presspubs.com/articles/2010/03/16/vadnais_heights_press/news/doc4ba0153b5eec0480200174.txt

MINNEAPOLIS — It was a bitter pill to swallow, but members of the Minnesota Medical Practice Board agreed to look the other way when it comes to disciplining physicians who treat chronic Lyme disease with long-term antibiotics.

The resolution circumvents legislation that would protect physicians who prescribe long courses of antibiotics for persistent Lyme patients. At a House committee hearing Feb. 17, a bill by Rep. John Ward (DFL-District 12A) was laid aside to give the state board a chance to find a non-legislative solution to the treatment issue.

The compromise barely passed by a 8-6 vote at the board’s monthly meeting March 13. It basically reads that in the interest of allowing time for science to resolve the issue, the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (MBMP) voluntarily will take a five-year moratorium on the investigation, disciplining or issuance of corrective action based solely on long-term prescription or administration of antibiotic therapy for chronic Lyme disease.