SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — An Alabama lawmaker has prefiled legislation that would allow ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine to be sold over the counter while limiting the ability of state regulators and employers to discipline pharmacists who recommend medications for off-label use.
House Bill 127, prefiled by Rep. Chip Brown, R–Hollinger’s Island, would permit the sale of both drugs without a prescription and prohibit the State Board of Pharmacy from revoking, suspending, or otherwise penalizing a pharmacist for dispensing or recommending medications for uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Brown said the proposal stems from constituent concerns about access and safety. “Over-the-counter sales are a safer way to do it than people taking paste or liquid forms not intended for human consumption,” he said, emphasizing the bill applies only to human-formulated ivermectin and not veterinary products.
Ivermectin is widely used in veterinary medicine to treat parasites in livestock, with formulations that can be dangerous if consumed by humans.
Both drugs gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FDA has said ivermectin has not been shown to be effective against COVID-19, and revoked emergency authorization for hydroxychloroquine in 2020 after studies found no benefit.
Despite federal guidance, interest in ivermectin has persisted. More than 15 states have introduced similar bills, and five, including Texas, allow over-the-counter access.
Beyond drug access, HB127 would expand protections for pharmacists by prohibiting retaliation from employers or pharmacy benefit managers and allowing legal action for discipline. Brown said the bill was inspired by a 2024 law sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur.
Another proposal, House Bill 146, would allow certain medical providers to issue standing orders for ivermectin. HB127 will be considered during the 2026 legislative session and is expected to draw significant debate.
