A slander suit brought by Vero Beach osteopath Christopher Olenek against local pharmacist Gregory DeCrescenzo has been dismissed with prejudice after the two reached a confidential settlement agreement, according to court records.

Olenek, owner of Eastside Urgent Care, filed the suit last October in the 19th Circuit Court, claiming that DeCrescenzo, who owns Perkins Indian River Pharmacy, discouraged his patients from taking the ivermectin that Olenek prescribed as a treatment for Covid-19. DeCrescenzo allegedly told Olenek’s patients they should be taking Paxlovid instead. The two also disagreed about the potential benefits and risks of the Covid vaccines.

Decrescenzo claimed he was just exercising his First Amendment right to free speech.

DeCrescenzo’s attorney also claimed that he was protected by state and federal anti-SLAPP laws – legislation designed to protect free speech by allowing defendants to dismiss meritless lawsuits if they involve protected speech on a matter of public concern. SLAPP stands for “strategic lawsuits against public participation.”

Circuit Judge Cynthia Cox had set the case for trial in July. However, the two sides entered into a confidential settlement agreement and the case has been dismissed. Both men declined to comment for this story.