Doctor’s COVID-19 Misinformation Campaign Continues Despite Sanction
During the tumultuous period of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Roger Hodkinson, a retired pathologist from Edmonton, gained notoriety as a prominent purveyor of contrarian medical opinions. Frequently highlighting his University of Cambridge credentials, Hodkinson openly challenged the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) for accusing him and other doctors of spreading dangerous misinformation through their anti-vaccine, anti-masking rhetoric. He argued that the college had no authority to curtail his freedom of speech. However, when summoned before a CPSA disciplinary tribunal in November, Hodkinson appeared to acquiesce to the regulator’s authority, admitting to professional misconduct. The tribunal concluded that his public pronouncements were beyond the purview of a pathologist and contradicted established public health guidelines. Furthermore, he was found to have violated the college’s code of ethics by criticizing fellow medical professionals, including Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.
The CPSA’s subsequent sanction, issued in March 2023, consisted of a caution, a mandatory course on advocacy and influence, and a $5,000 fine towards the investigation costs. This penalty was widely perceived as lenient, considering the significant role Hodkinson played in disseminating misinformation and emboldening anti-vaccine proponents. Disturbingly, Hodkinson continued to propagate the same discredited claims publicly even after the sanction, a fact the CPSA was unaware of until informed by an independent news organization. Indeed, just days after the sanction, Hodkinson launched a talk radio show to promote his new venture, "Malpractice Check," further amplifying his questionable medical advice.
Hodkinson’s recent activities include offering vaccine-injury consultations, specifically targeting alleged links between COVID-19 vaccines and autism. These consultations come at a steep price, potentially exacerbating the financial burden on vulnerable individuals seeking answers. On his radio show, Hodkinson has made a series of false and misleading claims, including the assertion that the measles vaccine is more dangerous than the disease itself, contrary to established scientific consensus. He has also baselessly linked the COVID-19 vaccine to declining birth rates and the purported "autism epidemic," and falsely claimed that influenza and hepatitis B vaccines are ineffective and dangerous.
These continued pronouncements underscore the challenges faced by medical regulatory bodies in curbing the spread of health misinformation. Experts like Tim Caulfield, a University of Alberta law and health professor, argue that Hodkinson’s case highlights the difficulties in balancing the right to free speech with the responsibility to protect the public from demonstrably false and harmful claims. Caulfield emphasizes the tangible harm caused by such misinformation, including eroding public trust in healthcare, promoting unproven therapies, and discouraging evidence-based practices like vaccination. He stresses that regulatory bodies have a duty to hold physicians accountable for spreading misinformation, particularly when they leverage their professional standing to legitimize such claims.
Adding to the complexity of this situation is the political dimension. Danielle Smith, Alberta’s premier, has previously platformed Hodkinson and other anti-vaccine doctors, raising concerns about the legitimization of misinformation within government circles. Caulfield points out that the increasing prevalence of misinformation is being used to justify harmful policy decisions, despite growing evidence of its detrimental effects. While Canadian medical regulatory bodies have taken a broader approach to their oversight compared to their U.S. counterparts, Caulfield believes more needs to be done. He argues that medical licensure is a privilege granted by the state, and with that privilege comes the responsibility to adhere to ethical and professional standards.
The CPSA’s sanction against Hodkinson was based on a joint submission negotiated by legal representatives from both sides. Hodkinson’s legal representation was provided by the Democracy Fund, a charity that defends anti-vaccine proponents and has ties to the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, an organization embroiled in its own controversies. While the Democracy Fund publicized Hodkinson’s retention of his license, it omitted the crucial detail that he is now restricted from providing medical services or advice. The organization’s framing of the situation minimized the seriousness of Hodkinson’s misconduct, characterizing his statements as merely diverging from the "official narrative," and drawing a parallel with the case of Dr. Jordan Peterson. This narrative further fuels the perception of persecution among anti-vaccine advocates and downplays the potential harm caused by spreading misinformation.
Legal experts note that even if the CPSA tribunal had been aware of Hodkinson’s ongoing dissemination of misinformation, their options would have been limited during the initial hearing. However, the regulator retains the authority to investigate further and can impose harsher penalties, including license revocation, for continued misconduct. The ongoing nature of Hodkinson’s pronouncements raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current regulatory mechanisms and the need for stronger measures to protect the public from harmful medical misinformation.