Montgomery, Ala. (WDNews) — A new bill introduced by an Alabama lawmaker could make it easier for people to get ivermectin without a doctor’s prescription.
House Bill 278 (HB278), filed by Rep. Phillip Rigsby, R-Huntsville, would allow pharmacists to provide ivermectin under a standing order approved by the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy. This means a doctor could sign a general prescription, allowing pharmacists to dispense the drug without needing individual prescriptions for each person.
Under the bill, anyone 19 or older could receive ivermectin without a prescription. Minors under 19 would need written consent from a parent or legal guardian. The bill also requires a risk assessment process before dispensing the medication.
Ivermectin is commonly used to treat parasitic infections in both humans and animals. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was promoted in some groups as a possible treatment for the virus. Health experts, including the FDA and Alabama Department of Public Health, have repeatedly warned against using ivermectin for COVID-19, stating it is not an antiviral medication and is only approved for specific conditions in humans.
