Texas AG Backs Doctor Disciplined for Prescribing Ivermectin

Ken Paxton intervenes in lawsuit against Texas Medical Board over reprimand of Dr. Mary Talley Bowden

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced he is taking up the case of a Houston doctor, Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, who was disciplined by the state's medical board last year for trying to treat a COVID-19 patient with ivermectin at a hospital where she did not have privileges. Paxton has filed a petition to intervene in Bowden's lawsuit against the Texas Medical Board, calling her a 'champion for health freedom' and accusing the board of reprimanding her without consulting medical expert testimony.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing political and legal battles over the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19, with Paxton siding with a prominent vaccine skeptic against the state medical board. It also raises questions about the role of state attorneys general in defending or challenging decisions made by other state agencies they are charged with representing.

The details

In October 2021, the Texas Medical Board reprimanded Dr. Bowden for prescribing ivermectin to a COVID-19 patient at a Fort Worth hospital where she did not have privileges. Bowden sued the board to have the reprimand overturned, and Paxton has now filed a petition to intervene in that lawsuit, accusing the board of violating Bowden's constitutional rights. Paxton's move comes just a week before the GOP primary election, in which he is challenging incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.

  • In October 2021, the Texas Medical Board reprimanded Dr. Bowden for prescribing ivermectin to a COVID-19 patient.
  • In December 2021, the medical board issued a final order upholding its decision to reprimand Bowden.
  • On February 13, 2026, Paxton announced he is intervening in Bowden's lawsuit against the medical board.

The players

Ken Paxton

The Attorney General of Texas who is intervening in Dr. Bowden's lawsuit against the Texas Medical Board.

Dr. Mary Talley Bowden

A Houston doctor who was disciplined by the Texas Medical Board for prescribing ivermectin to a COVID-19 patient at a hospital where she did not have privileges.

Texas Medical Board

The state agency that licenses physicians to practice in Texas and reprimanded Dr. Bowden for her actions.

Dr. Sherif Zaafran

The president of the Texas Medical Board.

John Cornyn

The incumbent U.S. Senator from Texas whom Paxton is challenging in the GOP primary.

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What they’re saying

“I will not stand by as Dr. Bowden has her Constitutional rights trampled and ability to serve her patients impeded with an illegal reprimand.”

— Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General (News release)

“It's been a four and a half year fight. I'm thrilled and I hope we can put this matter to rest. It's not just important for myself but for patients.”

— Dr. Mary Talley Bowden (The Texas Tribune)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow Paxton's intervention and consider Bowden's lawsuit to have the medical board's reprimand overturned.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing political battles over the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19, with the Texas Attorney General siding with a prominent vaccine skeptic against the state medical board. It raises questions about the role of state attorneys general in defending or challenging decisions made by other state agencies they are charged with representing.