Provides relative to the dispensing of ivermectin. (gov sig)
Summary
SB 19 creates a new Louisiana law authorizing pharmacists to dispense ivermectin to adults under a standing order issued by a healthcare professional with prescriptive authority in the Louisiana Department of Health. The bill directs LDH to adopt rules governing how ivermectin may be dispensed, including patient screening, counseling on indications and contraindications, instructions for proper use, the importance of medical follow-up, and any other information the department deems appropriate. LDH is also authorized to prohibit dispensing products containing ingredients it determines to be harmful.
The bill allows pharmacies to charge an administrative fee in addition to the ingredient cost and dispensing fee for the services required under the new rules. It also provides pharmacists with immunity from disciplinary or adverse administrative action by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, and from civil liability absent gross negligence or willful misconduct, so long as they act in good faith and with reasonable care. The bill further states that health insurance issuers are not required to cover the cost of ivermectin dispensed under this law.
Impact
SB 19 adds R.S. 37:1218.3 to Louisiana law and expands pharmacist authority by creating a specific pathway for dispensing ivermectin to adults under a standing order. It shifts implementation details to the Louisiana Department of Health through rulemaking, while also affecting pharmacy operations, professional liability standards, and potentially insurance coverage practices. The measure does not mandate coverage by insurers and leaves room for LDH to restrict certain formulations or ingredients.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received generally favorable legislative support, passing the Senate 28-8, the House 66-26, and the Senate again on concurrence 31-4. Those vote margins suggest broad but not unanimous approval. The available record contains no committee transcript, so the sentiment can be inferred mainly from the strong final passage votes rather than from recorded debate.
Contention
The main points of contention likely centered on the appropriateness of authorizing ivermectin dispensing, the scope of pharmacist discretion, and the public-health safeguards built into the bill. Supporters appear to have favored easier adult access through pharmacists and liability protection for providers acting in good faith, while opponents likely questioned the medical use of ivermectin, the need for a standing-order model, and whether the state should encourage dispensing a drug that has been controversial in public health discussions. The bill’s explicit disclaimer that insurers need not cover the cost may also reflect concern about shifting expenses to patients.