MADISON, Wis. (NEWSnet/AP) — Wisconsin's conservative-controlled Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a hospital could not be forced to give ivermectin, a deworming drug, to a patient with COVID-19.

In its 6-1 ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court said a county judge did not cite a legal basis for ordering the facility to administer the medication.

Ivermectin is commonly used in cattle and also approved for human use to fight parasites and certain skin conditions. But some members of online alternative medicine groups have reported self-administering highly concentrated, veterinary grade ivermectin to treat illnesses.

The Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for use in treating COVID-19 and warns that misusing ivermectin can be harmful, even fatal.

The decision upholds an appeal court’s ruling against Allen Gahl, who sued Aurora Health Care in October 2021 after doctors refused to treat his uncle, John Zingsheim, with ivermectin. Gahl was authorized to make medical decisions for his relative; who on a ventilator to treat COVID-19 complications.

Gahl obtained a prescription for ivermectin from a retired doctor who had never met Zingsheim or his medical team. The hospital staff said the drug did not meet their standards and refused to administer it.

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