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Committee approves bill to allow over-the-counter sale of ivermectin; pharmacists warn of labeling and interaction issues
Summary
Senate Bill 12-11, which would permit over-the-counter sales of ivermectin in Idaho, was advanced to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation; pharmacists and pharmacy groups testified they are concerned about current labeling, drug interactions and immediate effective dates.
Senate Bill 12-11, which would allow ivermectin to be sold and purchased without a prescription in Idaho, was advanced out of the Senate State Affairs Committee to the floor with a due-pass recommendation after a 4-3 committee vote on April 2.
Senator Kelly Anthon introduced the bill and described ivermectin as a long-used antiparasitic medicine with global public-health applications. Anthon and supportive witnesses emphasized that some other states have moved to permit over-the-counter sales and that over-the-counter availability could increase access in underserved areas. Attorney Brian Festa testified he supports making the drug available over the counter, describing instances where patients were denied fulfillment of ivermectin prescriptions at retail pharmacies.
Pharmacy representatives urged caution. Pam Eaton, president and CEO of the Idaho Retailers Association (representing the pharmacy council and the Idaho State Pharmacy Association), told the committee most Idaho pharmacists oppose making the drug OTC at this time. Eaton said ivermectin currently lacks an over-the-counter label from manufacturers and that, without a manufacturer-supplied OTC label, pharmacies would not be able to place the product on shelves consistent with federal OTC labeling standards. She said ivermectin can interact with common prescription medicines (her testimony cited interactions with five medications and monitoring issues with about 51 medications) and that pharmacists use prescription labeling and pharmacist consultation to manage those interactions today.
Eaton also warned that the bill contains an emergency clause that would make the change effective immediately, creating a logistical problem because manufacturers have not produced OTC-labeled ivermectin products and pharmacies would therefore be unable to place properly labeled OTC packages on shelves immediately. Several senators said the bill merely makes OTC sale legal; it does not compel any retailer to stock the product. Senator Shippey moved to send SB 12-11 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; the motion was seconded and carried with a committee roll-call recorded in the transcript as 4-3.
Committee discussion included requests for more medical input and concern from some senators about the timing and available safety data. Several senators said they might seek more information on the floor; others said making the product legal over the counter would rely on manufacturers to supply appropriate labeling and warnings before wide retail sales occurred.
