Ivermectin Now Available Over the Counter in Idaho, Arkansas, and Tennessee

23 Apr Ivermectin Now Available Over the Counter in Idaho, Arkansas, and Tennessee

April 23, 2025 — Ivermectin, a medication primarily used to treat parasitic infections, can now be purchased without a prescription in Idaho, Arkansas, and Tennessee, following recent legislative changes.

In Idaho, Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1211 into law earlier this month, allowing over-the-counter sales of ivermectin at pharmacies. Arkansas passed similar legislation through Senate Bill 189, signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, making ivermectin available without a prescription for human use. Tennessee had already enacted a comparable measure in 2022, permitting pharmacists to dispense the drug under a standing order agreement.

Supporters of the new laws argue that expanding access to ivermectin increases medical choice and personal freedom. "This empowers patients to make decisions about their healthcare," said Arkansas State Senator Alan Clark, a sponsor of the bill.

However, medical experts and federal agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), continue to advise caution. The FDA has not approved ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 and warns against using formulations intended for animals, citing risks of serious side effects. Health officials stress that ivermectin should only be used as directed for its approved purposes.

The legislative shift has reignited national debate over states' rights, medical autonomy, and the role of federal regulatory agencies. Pennsylvania lawmakers have introduced similar proposals, signaling that more states could follow Idaho, Arkansas, and Tennessee in deregulating access to the drug.