Texas House Bill Set to Give You The Same Right As Your Horse, Hog, Heifer…

April 22, 2025 – House Bill 3219, introduced by State Rep. Joanne Shofner (R–Nacogdoches), proposes allowing Texas pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without a prescription. The bill was heard in the House Public Health Committee yesterday, drawing both support and opposition. Proponents argue the measure empowers patients and pharmacists, giving Texans greater access to medications they believe could be beneficial.

It’s no secret that ivermectin is available over the counter, for animal use only, at every farm store in the nation.

Originally developed in the 1970s as an anti-parasitic, ivermectin has long been approved by the FDA for human use. It gained widespread attention during the COVID-19 pandemic when some doctors used it off-label to treat the virus. Despite anecdotal reports of success, federal agencies, including the FDA, warned against its use for COVID, citing insufficient evidence and potential health risks. The controversy has since made ivermectin a political flashpoint.

Ivermectin has not been proven to effectively treat COVID-19 in large, high-quality clinical trials.

Rep. Shofner emphasized that ivermectin is still widely used in developing countries, often administered safely by individuals with basic training. She argues that trained pharmacists in Texas should be trusted to do the same.

However, the Texas Medical Association opposes the bill, citing safety concerns and the importance of physician oversight. Similar laws have already passed in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Idaho, adding to a growing national debate over access to alternative treatments and the role of pharmacists in public health.