A medical doctor in French Polynesia has been barred from the profession for three years amid his dispute with the government over its Covid-19 response.
The territory's medical council has suspended Jean-Paul Theron, accusing him of several breaches, including practising medicine without a permanent practice.
At the height of the pandemic last year, the retired physician attracted attention for prescribing Ivermectin, which is used as a treatment for parasites, to dozens of Covid-19 sufferers in his care.
Dr Jean-Paul Theron Photo: Supplied
Dr Theron has told local television that the medical body should be dissolved, and the government be sanctioned instead for its management of the pandemic.
French Polynesia, which was the first Pacific tourist destination to reopen its borders during the pandemic, has seen more than 600 Covid-related fatalities.
Separately, Dr Theron faces criminal charges after allegedly assaulting and abusing a bailiff outside his home in September while he was being given a summons from medical authorities.
That case is due in court on 27 May after a planned trial three weeks ago had to be deferred because there was no doctor at hand to decide whether he was fit to take the stand.
At last November's attempt to open his trial, several leading politicians backing him, including the pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru, were present.
