Ivermectin bill advances in NC General Assembly. It would allow people to get horse de-wormer without a prescription (2025)

The state House cleared legislation Wednesday that allows pharmacists to dispense the controversial horse de-wormer ivermectin to humans for use without a prescription.

An amendment was voted down 69-42 that would have required a prescription to obtain the drug.

Ivermectin became a controversial topic during the COVID-19 pandemic after President Donald Trump touted it as an effective treatment for COVID-19.

For humans, ivermectin tablets are approved at specific doses to treat some parasitic worms. There also are topical (on the skin) formulations for head lice and skin conditions, such as rosacea.

However, the Food and Drug Administration has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals.

Rep. Jonathan Almond, R-Cabarrus, and primary bill sponsor, said during Wednesday’s floor debate that ivermectin is a “safe, effective drug medication” for use “without incurring the cost of time and money of obtaining a prescription.”

Rep. Marcia Morey, D-Durham, challenged Almond to specify whether HB618 was filed to allow ivermectin to be used as an off-label COVID-19 treatment.

Almond said ivermectin “is a multipurpose drug, and it’s not my job to tell people how to use it.”

“We want to give medical freedom to the people who choose a safe and effective drug.”

Studies by major universities have found that ivermectin doesn’t help in the treatment of COVID-19, including a major study posted by Duke Health in October 2022. Duke Health recently stated on its website that “No, FDA did not ‘quietly approve’ ivermectin as COVID-19 treatment. Fact check.”

HB618 would direct the state health director to issue a statewide order allowing pharmacists to dispense the drug to those who want it without a prescription and without consulting with a doctor.

If the bill becomes law, ivermectin may be available behind the pharmacy counter similar to certain antihistamines and decongestants, such as Claritin-D and Sudafed-D.

HB618 would give the state health director and any pharmacist dispensing ivermectin as allowed by the bill immunity from civil and criminal liability.The N.C. Board of Pharmacy declined Wednesday to speak on the bill, only to say it is monitoring its progress in the legislature and go by what the bill language currently includes.

Those drugs require people getting them to show an ID. HB618, in its current form, would not require that step for ivermectin.

Ivermectin would not be sold on a display shelf in North Carolina, unless authorized by the FDA.

Mirroring Trump administration objectives

HB618 represents a trend of right-wing N.C. House Republicans introducing legislation that mirrors Trump administration healthcare objectives.

Ivermectin is available over the counter and without a medical physician’s consultation in three conservative states: Arkansas, Idaho and Tennessee.

Rep. Jonathan Almond, R-Cabarrus, and primary HB618 sponsor, repeatedly named those states and pending legislation in 13 other states as reasons why North Carolina should approve the off-label use of ivermectin.

HB618 was rushed through the House Judiciary 3 and gatekeeper Rules and Operations committees Tuesday as part of beating Thursday’s deadline for crossover legislation to the Senate. A hearing step before the House Health committee was removed April 29.

Rep. Tracy Clark, D-Guilford, said in presenting her amendment to require a prescription for ivermectin that “it is mind-boggling to me that we are here discussing the dispensing of ivermectin, an unproven, non-FDA approved drug in pharmacies across our state ... and protecting pharmacies from liability from whatever will happen to people who take this dangerous drug.”

“Let’s be clear. Trump, who is not a doctor, or pharmacist, or a medical professional of any kind, touted this drug to treat COVID against the advice of scientists and medical professionals across our country.

“It is startling to me that this bill wasn’t even heard in healthcare committee, where many of our legislators with medical licenses and training serve.”

Almond responded to Clark by saying her amendment “defeats the whole purpose of the bill.”

Almond and other Republican HB618 supporters stressed their beliefs that ivermectin is safer for individuals to use than aspirin and the active ingredient in Tylenol.

According to a CNN report on ivermectin, among the potential side effects are difficulty moving muscles, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, bloody stools, dizziness, sleepiness and unusual weight gain or loss. There are drug interactions with dozens of medications, including blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering drugs and antiviral treatments.

“The FDA has received multiple reports of patients who have required medical attention, including hospitalization, after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for animals,” the agency said.

Morey said she is not aware of previous legislation “that directs the state health director to issue a standing order to allow pharmacists to dispense a drug without a prescription.

“We’re a General Assembly. We’re not the state Medical Board. We’re not the FDA.”