Ivermectin debate reignites as more states eye over-the-counter sales Image Key Points Florida and Ohio are considering bills to let pharmacies sell ivermectin without a prescription, joining at least 16 states exploring or enacting similar measures—five of which (Idaho, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas) already allow OTC sales. While ivermectin is safe for treating parasitic infections when prescribed properly, medical authorities warn that using animal-grade or unapproved versions can be dangerous—and the FDA has not approved the drug for COVID-19 or cancer treatment. The push reflects a broader clash between state-level “medical choice” efforts and federal oversight, with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supporting state moves to expand access despite ongoing federal opposition. By HPN Staff Florida and Ohio lawmakers are considering bills that would allow pharmacies to sell ivermectin over the counter, joining a growing number of states moving to expand access to the controversial drug. Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication used to treat several types of intestinal parasites, typically contracted in tropical regions. It has long been approved for human use by prescription and for veterinary use in different, much stronger formulations. If the bills advance, Florida and Ohio would join at least 16 other states that have introduced or passed similar measures. The drug is already available over the counter in Idaho, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas, though some pharmacists say they’re waiting for federal guidance before proceeding. “Most over-the-counter drugs, especially ones that were prescriptions at one point, go through some FDA approval process,” Matt Murray, an Idaho pharmacist, told NBC News. “In that process, it gets decided what the labeling is going to say,” including warnings and directions. Why it matters Ivermectin’s push into the spotlight began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when some claimed it could prevent or treat the virus. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved ivermectin for that purpose, and major health organizations maintain there’s no credible evidence it works against COVID-19 or cancer — another unproven use that has circulated online. Medical experts say ivermectin is safe when used as prescribed for parasitic infections but warn against using versions intended for animals, which are far more concentrated. Earlier this month, a Colorado woman died from what officials described as “ivermectin toxicity” after reportedly taking an animal-grade form to manage chronic pain. Despite such warnings, social media posts and anecdotal stories continue to fuel public interest in the drug for unapproved treatments. The big picture The growing number of state-level efforts reflect a broader debate over medical freedom and government oversight. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose agency oversees the FDA, recently applauded Texas’s move to make ivermectin more accessible. “I think Americans should have the choice,” he said earlier this year. “After Trump left office, there was this movement to put everybody into this funnel without choice.” Federal regulators, however, have reiterated that ivermectin is not authorized for treating COVID-19 or cancer, and have not reviewed or approved any changes to its prescription status. As more states consider over-the-counter access, pharmacists and physicians are following federal guidance, while many adults remain uncertain about ivermectin’s effectiveness against COVID-19. SUGGESTED STORIES Colorado drug price cap raises concerns over access and innovation Colorado’s Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board (PDAB) last week became the first state to set a price cap on a specific prescription drug, limiting a 50-milligram dose of Enbrel, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, to $600. Since its introduction in 1998, Enbrel’s Read more A cautious eye is needed in AI healthcare delivery This is a lightly edited excerpt of testimony recently provided to the U.S. House’s Energy and Commerce Health subcommittee hearing "Examining Opportunities to Advance American Health Care through the Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies." Read more FDA meeting reignites debate over fluoride in drinking water What has long been known as the “fight over fluoride” has gained new steam, and federal action could be forthcoming to reduce certain products containing it. A recent public meeting hosted by the Reagan-Udall Foundation and the U.S. Food and Dru Read more
Colorado drug price cap raises concerns over access and innovation Colorado’s Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board (PDAB) last week became the first state to set a price cap on a specific prescription drug, limiting a 50-milligram dose of Enbrel, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, to $600. Since its introduction in 1998, Enbrel’s Read more
A cautious eye is needed in AI healthcare delivery This is a lightly edited excerpt of testimony recently provided to the U.S. House’s Energy and Commerce Health subcommittee hearing "Examining Opportunities to Advance American Health Care through the Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies." Read more
FDA meeting reignites debate over fluoride in drinking water What has long been known as the “fight over fluoride” has gained new steam, and federal action could be forthcoming to reduce certain products containing it. A recent public meeting hosted by the Reagan-Udall Foundation and the U.S. Food and Dru Read more
