A surgeon in suburban Philadelphia was terminated for allegedly prescribing ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 patients, neither of which have FDA approval for the treatment of the coronavirus.

Officials at Tower Health, which is headquartered in West Reading, Pa., learned of the situation involving Edith Behr, MD, on Feb. 2 and fired her immediately, according to a statement issued by the health system. Dr. Behr worked at hospitals in Phoenixville and Pottstown, Pa.

"While a licensed physician may prescribe approved medications for ‘off-label’ purposes, the prescribing process must adhere to the requirement of medical licensure, as well as Tower Health Medical Group policies, including the physician conducting an appropriate patient history and assessment, including allergies and potential medication interactions, and documenting dosage amount, timing, etc. in the patient’s medical record," reads the Tower Health statement.

Dr. Behr was fired because she did not meet those requirements, according to the statement. She could not immediately be reached for comment.

The statement went on to encourage eligible individuals to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and to engage in appropriate masking and social distancing practices, saying they are the best available options to reduce the spread of the virus and to minimize serious illness, hospitalization and death.

"We will continue to follow recommendations from the FDA, CDC and other health authorities in the treatment of the COVID-19 virus," says the statement.