Texas House passes bill to make ivermectin available without prescription

A proposal to allow Texans to purchase ivermectin without a doctor’s prescription sparked a fiery debate in the Texas House on Wednesday, underscoring the deep partisan divide over the drug that gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic.

House Bill 25, authored by Rep. Joanne Shofner (R-Nacogdoches), passed the chamber on an 88–51 vote after hours of impassioned back-and-forth. The measure would permit pharmacists to dispense ivermectin over the counter, bypassing the current requirement for a physician’s order.

Gov. Greg Abbott added the issue to the Legislature’s ongoing special session agenda, giving the bill momentum among Republicans who argue the drug is safe, affordable, and long-established in medical use.

Shofner Defends Bill

Introducing her bill, Shofner described ivermectin as “a safe, affordable medicine with minimal side effects,” comparing it to aspirin and penicillin. She emphasized the drug’s decades-long use worldwide in treating parasitic infections and argued that Medicaid recipients, in particular, would benefit from easier access.

“This is about making a long-time safe, reliable, effective, and inexpensive medicine available to meet their needs through a pharmacist,” Shofner said. Nearly 80 lawmakers co-sponsored HB 25, a sign of its strong Republican support.

Democrats Push Back

Democratic lawmakers pushed hard against the measure, questioning its medical legitimacy and oversight. Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) pressed Shofner on how pharmacies would document ivermectin sales without prescription records.

“I refuse to track Texans on what products they buy at their pharmacy,” Shofner shot back. “We’re not in a socialist country.”

Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) raised concerns about the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) guidance, which has not approved ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment. She asked what made the drug “special” enough to bypass prescription requirements when countless other medications remain regulated. Zwiener also attempted to derail the bill with a procedural challenge, though it was later withdrawn.

Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) offered a sharply worded amendment to rename the proposal the “Darwin Award Act,” suggesting it would encourage reckless behavior. The amendment was quickly tabled.

Political and National Context

The debate frequently circled back to ivermectin’s controversial use during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was promoted by some as an alternative treatment despite warnings from health authorities.

As lawmakers sparred in Austin, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy announced that the agency would rescind the emergency use authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine, though it would remain available for patients who consult their doctors. The timing of the announcement added a national backdrop to Texas’ ivermectin debate.

Closing Debate and Vote

In one of the final speeches against HB 25, Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston) accused supporters of spreading misinformation.

“What’s really bad about this bill is it spreads more misinformation, and it’ll spread more death,” Wu said. He also criticized the proposal for creating a halfway approach, saying if ivermectin were truly safe, it should be made available directly off the shelf rather than through pharmacists.

Despite the heated opposition, Shofner closed her defense of the bill by thanking colleagues for a “wonderful, heated debate.” The measure cleared the House with strong Republican backing.

HB 25 now heads to the Texas Senate, where it must advance through committee and floor debate before potentially reaching Gov. Abbott’s desk.