A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-150 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE OVER-THE-COUNTER SALE OF IVERMECTIN TABLETS.
Summary
H4042 would add a new section to the South Carolina Code authorizing FDA-approved ivermectin products labeled for human use to be sold over the counter to adults age 18 and older without a prescription. The bill requires the product to be kept in an area accessible only to pharmacy personnel, and it directs the Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules for dispensing procedures within 90 days of the act’s effective date.
The bill also requires pharmacies to provide a screening risk assessment tool and patient information about ivermectin’s uses, contraindications, proper use, and the importance of medical follow-up. It prohibits dispensing when contraindications or clinically significant drug interactions are present based on the patient’s medication profile or medical conditions, while allowing pharmacists to rely on patient-provided information.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would change state pharmacy law by creating a specific over-the-counter pathway for ivermectin and limiting the existing prescription-only framework for FDA-approved human ivermectin products. It would also require the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate implementing rules, establish dispensing standards, and set documentation limits. The bill provides pharmacists with liability protections and immunity from disciplinary or civil action when acting in good faith and with reasonable care, while preserving their discretion not to dispense or stock the drug. It also clarifies that insurers are not required to cover the cost and that pharmacies may charge administrative or dispensing fees.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill has generally received favorable support, with the House passing it 96-8 and the Senate advancing it on second reading 38-3. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the strong margins indicate broad support among legislators who voted for it. The bill’s framing around pharmacist safeguards, age limits, and board oversight likely contributed to its acceptance.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to center on whether ivermectin should be available without a prescription and whether pharmacists should be permitted to dispense it based on screening rather than physician oversight. Opponents may be concerned about safety, contraindications, and the risk of misuse, while supporters appear to favor expanded access for adults and reduced regulatory barriers. The bill addresses some of those concerns by requiring screening tools, patient counseling, pharmacist discretion to refuse dispensing, and immunity protections tied to good-faith compliance.
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A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-150 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE OVER-THE-COUNTER SALE OF IVERMECTIN TABLETS AND HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE TABLETS.