MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A controversial bill introduced in the Alabama Legislature aims to allow pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without requiring a prescription. House Bill 278, sponsored by Rep. Philip Rigsby, would permit pharmacists to provide the medication under a standing order from a licensed healthcare provider, bypassing the need for individual prescriptions. The bill is currently under review by the House Health Committee, with a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Ivermectin, a drug primarily used to treat parasitic infections in humans and animals, gained notoriety during the COVID-19 pandemic as some promoted it as an unproven treatment for the virus. Despite repeated warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other health organizations about its ineffectiveness against COVID-19 and potential risks of misuse, ivermectin became a symbol for some groups skeptical of vaccines and mainstream medical advice.
Critics of HB278 argue that this measure panders to lingering vaccine skepticism and misinformation that surged during the pandemic. Health experts warn that making ivermectin available over-the-counter could lead to increased misuse, overdoses, and serious health complications such as liver damage or seizures. They also point out that ivermectin’s role in treating COVID-19 has been thoroughly discredited by scientific studies.
The proposal has raised eyebrows in Alabama and beyond, with many questioning why lawmakers are revisiting this issue years after ivermectin’s COVID-era prominence faded. Some view it as a strange concession to fringe political narratives rather than a practical public health measure.
If passed, Alabama would join other states considering similar legislation, despite widespread medical consensus against such policies.