LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — March 3, Governor Sanders signed Act 396 into law, allowing Arkansans to purchase ivermectin without a prescription for human use—but it’s not quite that simple. Arkansas pharmacists are concerned that the new law conflicts with federal law.
Ivermectin has become a wildly popular alternative treatment for COVID-19 and other ailments for which the FDA has not approved its use.
Whatever you think about ivermectin’s much-debated effectiveness against COVID-19, the new law that makes it available without a prescription will ensure that those who want to use the drug for anything other than its intended purpose of treating parasitic worm infections will be able to do so without resorting to taking ivermectin sold for veterinary use, which can lead to accidental overdoses.
But there’s a catch—the FDA has only approved the sale of ivermectin for human use if you have a prescription, creating a bit of a quandary for Arkansas pharmacists, some of whom may shy away from selling ivermectin over the counter because of that.
“This is the first time I know of in this state that we have passed a law to make a drug over the counter that is technically a prescription drug under federal law,” said John Vinson, CEO of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association.
“There are some parallels between medical marijuana and ivermectin, meaning that medical marijuana is allowed in the state under state law, but is currently not allowed under federal law. So, it’s similar to that,” Vinson said.
Arkansas lawmakers consider bill to expand access to controversial drug ivermectin
Pharmacists are also concerned that over-the-counter ivermectin in Arkansas won’t have labeling the way other over-the-counter drugs have.
Drug manufacturers must get their labeling instructions approved by the FDA, which will not honor a state law like Act 396 or approve the over-the-counter use of ivermectin. So, if it’s dispensed over the counter, it might not have labels directing proper and safe usage.
“The problem is, Ivermectin is manufactured and distributed as a prescription product, and it won’t have over-the-counter labelling the way other over-the-counter drugs have,” Vinson told KATV. “The proper labelling of how it should be used safely and effectively might not be there.”
It will be interesting to see if, once the law is in effect, ivermectin overdoses decrease.