Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Dr. Amir Khadir Pleads Guilty Over Controversial Treatments for a Nonexistent Form of Lyme Disease

Dr Amir Khadir, microbiologist and infectious disease specialist at Pierre-Le Gardeur Hospital in Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada pleaded guilty to 12 offences over his controversial treatment of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/lyme-disease">Lyme disease</a>. He had been treating patients with "chronic" Lyme disease since 2019 in his specialized clinic, affiliated to the hospital. However, science does not back that such a condition even exists, confirmed the disciplinary council of the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ).

In June 2020, he made a commitment to stop prescribing antibiotics beyond 28 days to treat people with Lyme disease, however, some patients have taken his medications for two years. His long-term antibiotic treatment lasted for more than four months up to two years in his patients.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/is-the-white-house-hiding-truth-about-president-donald-trumps-health-after-his-recent-mri-scan-article-153066013" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Is The White House Hiding Truth About President Donald Trump’s Health?</a>

Dr Steven Lapointe, who is a CMQ trustee said that Dr Khadir "admitted four times rather than once that he had not respected his commitment. He spent much more time justifying himself than expressing regret, and even less remorse, for not having respected his commitment. [He made] his own law."

Dr Khadir justified his deed by saying that some of his desperate patients had recovered after prolonged course of antibiotics. He said that there were no complains from his patients about his approach. No complications were reported either. 

Dr Khadir had earlier made the government aware of the need to undertake a research and was hoping to seek funding for the same. Le Journal de Montreal reports that he was not to offer antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease for more than 28 days, except as part of a hospital research project. However, as Montreal City News reports, that though he received the approval of the medical and political communities, the fundings had not come, as Quebec allocated the funds for a group of clinics specializing in long COVID and infectious diseases. Thus, he continued to offer antibiotic treatment beyond 28 days outside of a research setting.

"I regret not having done things in the right order. It was a lamentable error of judgment," he said.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/as-u-s-measles-cases-surge-could-the-country-lose-its-elimination-status-article-153065334" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">As U.S. Measles Cases Surge, Could The Country Lose Its Elimination Status?</a>

<h2>What Is The Right Way To Treat Lyme Disease?</h2>

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most cases of Lyme diseases are treated within 10 to 14 days of antibiotics.

Mayo Clinic notes that the standard treatment for Lyme disease is an antibiotic taken as a pill that lasts 10 to 14 days.

Cleveland Clinic also notes that while antibiotics are the primary treatment for Lyme disease, including doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil. The time taken to recover could be around 10 days.

Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that treatment could last up to 21 days.

It is a bacterial infection spread by infected ticks. The initial symptoms can include a 'bull's eye' rash, fever, headache, and fatigue. If it is left untreated, the infection could spread and cause more serious problems affecting joints, heart, and even the nervous system. It is most effectively treated, as many have noted and has been mentioned above, with antibiotics, especially when caught early.

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Dr Amir Khadir, microbiologist and infectious disease specialist at Pierre-Le Gardeur Hospital in Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada pleaded guilty to 12 offences over his controversial treatment of Lyme disease. He had been treating patients with "chronic" Lyme disease since 2019 in his specialized clinic, affiliated to the hospital. However, science does not back that such a condition even exists, confirmed the disciplinary council of the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ).In June 2020, he made a commitment to stop prescribing antibiotics beyond 28 days to treat people with Lyme disease, however, some patients have taken his medications for two years. His long-term antibiotic treatment lasted for more than four months up to two years in his patients.Also Read: Is The White House Hiding Truth About President Donald Trump’s Health? What Happened In The Past?Dr Steven Lapointe, who is a CMQ trustee said that Dr Khadir "admitted four times rather than once that he had not respected his commitment. He spent much more time justifying himself than expressing regret, and even less remorse, for not having respected his commitment. [He made] his own law."Dr Khadir justified his deed by saying that some of his desperate patients had recovered after prolonged course of antibiotics. He said that there were no complains from his patients about his approach. No complications were reported either. Dr Khadir had earlier made the government aware of the need to undertake a research and was hoping to seek funding for the same. Le Journal de Montreal reports that he was not to offer antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease for more than 28 days, except as part of a hospital research project. However, as Montreal City News reports, that though he received the approval of the medical and political communities, the fundings had not come, as Quebec allocated the funds for a group of clinics specializing in long COVID and infectious diseases. Thus, he continued to offer antibiotic treatment beyond 28 days outside of a research setting. "I regret not having done things in the right order. It was a lamentable error of judgment," he said.Also Read: As U.S. Measles Cases Surge, Could The Country Lose Its Elimination Status? What Is The Right Way To Treat Lyme Disease?As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most cases of Lyme diseases are treated within 10 to 14 days of antibiotics. Mayo Clinic notes that the standard treatment for Lyme disease is an antibiotic taken as a pill that lasts 10 to 14 days. Cleveland Clinic also notes that while antibiotics are the primary treatment for Lyme disease, including doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil. The time taken to recover could be around 10 days. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that treatment could last up to 21 days. What Is Lyme Disease?It is a bacterial infection spread by infected ticks. The initial symptoms can include a 'bull's eye' rash, fever, headache, and fatigue. If it is left untreated, the infection could spread and cause more serious problems affecting joints, heart, and even the nervous system. It is most effectively treated, as many have noted and has been mentioned above, with antibiotics, especially when caught early.