Bill > HB278

This bill allows pharmacists in Alabama to dispense ivermectin (a medication originally developed to treat parasitic infections) without a traditional prescription to individuals who are 19 years or older, or to those under 19 with parental consent. The dispensing must occur through a standing order (a non-patient-specific prescription) approved by the State Board of Pharmacy and signed by a qualified health care provider. The standing order must include a risk assessment protocol for screening individuals, a standardized information sheet detailing the medication's uses, instructions, and potential risks, and a form for pharmacists to document the dispensing process. The bill includes protections for both healthcare providers and pharmacists, stipulating that licensing boards cannot take disciplinary action against them for good-faith actions related to ivermectin dispensing. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that it does not establish medical practice standards and that compliance with the act cannot be used as evidence in civil litigation. The provisions will take effect on October 1, 2025, and the State Board of Pharmacy is tasked with developing implementation rules. The bill also prohibits healthcare providers and pharmacists from participating in promotional programs that might induce them to specifically endorse ivermectin use.