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Committee agrees to print RS 32786C1 to allow over‑the‑counter ivermectin; one senator recorded opposed
Summary
Senator Tammy Nichols presented RS 32786C1, which would allow ivermectin to be sold over the counter; the committee voted to send the RS to print with Senator Wintrow recorded as opposed.
Senator Tammy Nichols of District 10 introduced RS 32786C1, asking the Judiciary & Rules Committee to print the proposal to make ivermectin available over the counter without a prescription. "It has been touted as a very safe and effective, anti parasitic medication," Nichols said, adding that ivermectin "won the Nobel prize in 2015, and it was approved by the FDA in 1987. It's been safely used for over 40 years."
Nichols told the committee the drug has been widely distributed globally: "It has, over 4,000,000,000 doses administered" and she said several states were considering similar measures, with Arkansas recently signing OTC legislation. She described the bill as affirming "that Idahoans have the freedom to access safe and effective treatments without unnecessary regulatory barriers."
Senator Wintrow said she would be reluctant to support printing the RS because of the late session timing and outstanding stakeholder and safety questions, including Food and Drug Administration concerns. "I don't know that I could vote in support of this one just because of the late notion of the session and the amount of conversation as far as dealing with other stakeholders and safety and FDA and all that good stuff," she said.
The committee voted to send RS 32786C1 to print. Senator Keiser moved the measure and Senator Foreman seconded. The chair called for the voice vote; the transcript records Senator Wintrow as recorded opposed and the motion carried.
