HB499 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ritchie WhortonRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to prescription drugs; to provide for the dispensing of Ivermectin by a pharmacist without an individual prescription pursuant to a standing order issued by a physician, physician's assistant, or certified registered nurse practitioner; to protect physicians, physician's assistants, certified registered nurse practitioners, and pharmacists from licensure disciplinary action due to dispensing Ivermectin.

Summary

HB499 would let pharmacists dispense ivermectin without an individual prescription under a standing order from a doctor or nurse practitioner, and would shield providers and pharmacists from licensure discipline for dispensing it.

What This Bill Does

The bill would allow a pharmacist to dispense ivermectin without a personal prescription to eligible individuals under a standing order approved by the State Board of Pharmacy and signed by a health care provider. The standing order must include a risk assessment protocol, a standardized information sheet with usage details and follow-up care, and a form to record the risk assessment and dosage. It also prohibits health care providers and pharmacists from participating in programs or accepting benefits meant to induce ivermectin use, and it protects signers of standing orders and dispensing pharmacists from disciplinary action related to dispensing under the order; the Board would issue implementing rules and the act clarifies it does not create medical or pharmacy practice standards.

Who It Affects

• Physicians, physician's assistants, and certified registered nurse practitioners who sign standing orders allowing pharmacists to dispense ivermectin; they are protected from licensure disciplinary action when dispensing under the standing order.
• Pharmacists who dispense ivermectin under a standing order and the patients who receive ivermectin without an individual prescription; pharmacists must follow the standing order's risk protocol and dosage documentation, and are protected from certain disciplinary actions.

Key Provisions

• A pharmacist may dispense ivermectin without a prescription to eligible individuals (19+ or unemancipated minors with parental consent) under a standing order approved by the State Board of Pharmacy and signed by a health care provider.
• The standing order must include a risk assessment protocol, a standardized information sheet (indications/contraindications, usage instructions, follow-up care), and a form to record the risk assessment and dosage dispensed.
• Health care providers and pharmacists may not participate in programs or accept benefits intended to induce ivermectin use.
• The State Board of Pharmacy and health care providers/pharmacists are protected from disciplinary action for dispensing under the standing order, and the Board will adopt rules to implement the act.
• The act does not create medical or pharmacy practice standards and becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Ivermectin; allow physicians and other health care professionals to prescribe by standing order.