Little Rock (KATV) – On March 3, Governor Sanders signed Law 396 to allow Arkansan to purchase ivermectin without prescription for human use, but it is not so simple. Arkansas pharmacists are concerned that the new law will contradict federal law.
Ivermectin has become a very popular alternative treatment for Covid-19 and other diseases The FDA does not approve its use.
Even considering the much-recommended efficacy of ivermectin against Covid-19, new laws that make it available without a prescription allow anyone who wants to use a drug other than the intended purpose to treat a parasitic infection without resorting to taking ivermectin sold for veteran use.
But there’s a catch. The FDA has only approved the sale of Ivermectin for human use if there is a prescription, which is a bit confusing for Arkansas pharmacists.
“In this state, this is the first time we’ve known that we passed a law that makes medicines at counters, a prescription drug, under federal law,” said John Vinson, CEO of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association.
“There are some similarities between medical marijuana and ivermectin. That is, medical marijuana is permitted in states under state law, but not under federal law at the moment, so it’s similar,” Vinson said.
Pharmacists are also concerned that over-the-counter Ivermectin from Arkansas is not labeled like other over-the-counter drugs.
Drug manufacturers must obtain labeling instructions approved by the FDA. The FDA does not respect state laws such as Section 396 or approve the commercial use of ivermectin. Therefore, if distributed on a counter, there may be no labels indicating proper and safe usage.
“The problem is that ivermectin is manufactured and distributed as a formula product and labeling it with the methods other over-the-counter drugs have is not over-the-counter,” Vinson told KATV. “There may not be a proper labelling of safe and effective ways to use it.”
Once the law is effective, it will be interesting to see if you will overdose ivermectin.
Act 396 has not yet been implemented. It is expected to come into effect in June, 90 days after the law is signed.
