Acupuncturist suspended after ‘prescribing’ animal drugs to patient in Dawson Creek, B.C.

A Dawson Creek, B.C. acupuncturist has been suspended after prescribing Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic medication, and veterinary Fenbendazole, a product not approved for human consumption by Health Canada — as well as for lack of patient records, and more.

Katie Johnston consented this week to a disciplinary order issued Oct. 20, by the registrar of the College of Complementary Health Professionals of British Columbia.

The order outlines reprimands for Johnston and requires completion of educational courses, to comply with professional standards and submit to random audits of her practice locations and clinical and billing records for a year after returning from Tuesday’s two month suspension.

The college’s investigation began April 2, 2025, under the former Health Professions Act.

Johnston was notified of the investigation on April 11, 2025 and given opportunity to respond. Investigations concerned prescribing activities outside her authorized scope of practice, clinic record-keeping, and responses to the college’s requests for information.

The consent order outlines Johnston prescribing Fenbendazole, a product not approved for human consumption by Health Canada, as well as prescribing ivermectin without any required authority. Fenbendazole is an animal de-wormer. While it is related to human medications like mebendazole and albendazole, it is not approved  by any regulatory agency such as the FDA or Health Canada for human consumption.

While online and social media claims promote Fenbendazole as an alternative cancer treatment based on pre-clinical cell or animal studies, there are no large-scale randomized human clinical trials proving any safety, or effectiveness against cancer.

The American Cancer Society says treating people with veterinary Fenbendazole carries concerning medical risks, including drug-induced liver injury (hepatotoxicity), severe gastrointestinal distress, and unpredictable interactions with prescribed cancer medications.

This week’s consent order also outlines Johnston prescribing Ivermectin without any required authority. Ivermectin is authorized by Health Canada as a prescription drug for treating human parasitic worm infections—specifically intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis. It can be prescribed to humans by practicing doctors, not acupuncturists.

The consent order also identifies point injection therapies and the provision or recommendation of oral products as activities outside the scope of practice of a registered acupuncturist.

A panel of the college’s Investigation Committee considered the complaint on Aug. 6, 2026, and determined there were reasonable grounds to believe Johnston had committed misconduct.

The matter proceeded under the Health Professions and Occupations Act, which replaced the former legislation on April 1, 2026. The college found reasonable grounds to believe Johnston had breached professional requirements governing advertising and marketing, clinical records, scope of practice and informed consent.

Record-keeping concerns included incomplete patient intake and consent forms, delayed charting, unsigned patient records and inadequate documentation of prescriptions and treatments. The order also identifies alteration of patient records — after Johnston had been served with notice of the investigation.

Other deficiencies included failures to document patient assessments and histories, prescription information and ongoing monitoring for patients provided with the drugs.

The college also cited inadequate documentation of oral and topical products, point injection therapies, and discussions with patients about proposed assessments, risks, treatments and procedures.

Under the consent order, Johnston acknowledged engaging in misconduct and agreed not to repeat the conduct or breach the college’s current bylaws and professional standards.

The two-month suspension begins 14 days after the order was signed on Oct 20. The registrar accepted Johnston’s undertaking not to repeat the conduct. For a period of twelve months commencing on the date Johnston returns from suspension, she must cooperate with random audits of their practice locations as well as clinical and billing records.

The consent order was signed in Vancouver on Oct. 20, 2026, by Marta Kumor Fane, deputy registrar of the college.

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