A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 19-02.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the over-the-counter availability of ivermectin.
Summary
SB 2388 would add a new section to North Dakota Century Code chapter 19-02.1 to allow ivermectin suitable for human use to be sold and purchased over the counter in the state. The bill defines ivermectin as an FDA-approved medication used to treat parasitic infections and defines "over-the-counter" as a medication that may be sold and purchased without a prescription.
In practical terms, the measure would override any other state-law barrier to nonprescription access and make ivermectin available in North Dakota pharmacies or other retail settings without requiring a doctor’s prescription. The bill does not create a new treatment program or mandate use; it only changes the legal status of the drug’s sale and purchase within the state.
Impact
If enacted, SB 2388 would have amended state controlled-drug or pharmacy-related law by creating an express statutory authorization for over-the-counter sale of human-use ivermectin. It would have affected pharmacists, retailers, prescribers, and consumers by removing the prescription requirement under state law, while still leaving the medication subject to federal FDA approval and other applicable safety or labeling rules. Because the bill failed, no change to current North Dakota law resulted.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows the bill had very limited support and was decisively rejected on Senate second reading, with 3 yeas and 43 nays. No committee transcripts are available, so there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate broader support or opposition arguments beyond the vote itself. The outcome suggests the chamber was generally unfavorable to changing ivermectin’s access status in this way.
Contention
The central point of contention is likely whether ivermectin should be available without a prescription for human use. Supporters would view the bill as expanding consumer access and personal choice, while opponents would likely be concerned about safety, appropriate medical oversight, and the implications of bypassing prescription controls for a drug that has been the subject of public controversy. The strong negative vote indicates that concerns about nonprescription access outweighed support among senators.