Substitute to SB440 adds behind‑the‑counter ivermectin provision, credentialing deadlines and parity review panel

Chairman Newton summarized the substitute to Senate Bill 440 (LC60375S) as a department bill that eliminates outdated advisory boards and pilot programs and transfers duties when appropriate. He outlined several substantive additions: an ivermectin provision that would allow certain finished‑dose, FDA‑approved topical or other formulations to be made available behind the pharmacy counter (not for self‑service), subject to rules adopted by the state board of pharmacy; a directive for the Department of Community Health to coordinate with insurers and stakeholders to produce a standardized provider credentialing form by July 1, 2027 to reduce start‑time delays for physicians and other providers; and creation of a behavioral‑health parity compliance review panel that would involve the insurance commissioner to review complaints and recommend enforcement actions if carriers violate parity laws.

During questioning, a member asked whether the ivermectin language would expand access; Newton replied that access would be expanded in the sense that a pharmacist could assist patients under the behind‑the‑counter arrangement but that the drug remains controlled as a dangerous drug outside FDA‑approved, labeled finished doses. Chairman Stevens compared it to other behind‑the‑counter public‑safety measures such as tracking pseudoephedrine sales.

The substitute was debated and then adopted by the committee on a recorded voice vote with an objection noted in the discussion; the committee placed the substitute on the calendar under the modified structure rule.