Representative Schofner laid out committee substitute for House Bill 25 on the House floor, saying the measure would let pharmacists dispense FDA‑approved ivermectin without a prescription. "I am so grateful to lay out committee substitute for House Bill 25, which allows a pharmacist to dispense ivermectin to a person without requiring a prescription order from the licensed healthcare practitioner," Schofner said, and argued the drug is on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines.

The bill drew sustained debate. Supporters, including Representatives Luther and Toth, framed the measure as improving access for rural and low‑income Texans who face long drives or lost income to visit a prescriber. Schofner repeatedly told colleagues that the product would remain behind the pharmacy counter and that the Texas State Board of Pharmacy would write protocols for dispensing: "This is not a new thing behind the pharmacy counters. It's already there."

Opponents included Representative Anchia and several physician‑legislators who urged caution. "No major mainstream medical group has recommended that ivermectin be sold over the counter," Anchia said during debate. Representative Zwener and Representative Weiner offered and pressed amendments designed to preserve consumer protections and liability pathways; Weiner cited a Duke Clinical Research Institute double‑blind study and said it found no difference between placebo and ivermectin for COVID‑19 in that trial. Dr. Oliverson, speaking from the House floor, described an operational problem he said prompted the bill: "It is a known fact that across this state, prescriptions for ivermectin ... a pharmacist has unilaterally decided ... not to fill that prescription," and argued the bill addresses pharmacists who decline to fill legally written prescriptions.

Amendment votes removed several proposed changes; two prominent amendments that would have restored or expanded civil liability were tabled. Representative Weiner’s amendment to preserve liability in cases of advertising and misrepresentation failed on a motion to table, 83 ayes to 52 nays; similar amendments by others were also tabled. The House finally passed HB25 on third reading by a bipartisan roll call, 87 ayes and 47 nays. The final passage message was read later in the day.

The bill text directs the Texas State Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules necessary to implement the chapter authorizing pharmacists to dispense ivermectin under written protocols; the House debate repeatedly emphasized that the Board would set dispensing protocols and that the medication would remain behind the pharmacy counter rather than be placed on open shelves. Several members asked whether pharmacists would collect patient weight, age, or medical history before dispensing; the bill’s author said those implementation details would be left to the Board.

Supporters said the change preserves individual choice and helps rural Texans and seniors access a low‑cost medicine; opponents cited statewide and international medical guidance (FDA, NIH, WHO) concluding there is no established evidence that ivermectin treats COVID‑19 and cautioned about drug–drug interactions and the need for clinician oversight.

With passage in the House, HB25 moves to the next steps required under the legislative process.