Authorizing over-the-counter sale of ivermectin
Senate Bill 42 (SB 42) allows licensed pharmacists in West Virginia to sell ivermectin for human use without a prescription. It requires pharmacists to provide the FDA-approved patient information sheet at the time of sale and eliminates the need for consultation. The bill protects pharmacists from liability in civil, criminal, or disciplinary actions if they follow the law in good faith, and also shields healthcare providers from disciplinary action for recommending ivermectin within their scope of practice. This directly affects pharmacists (who gain new dispensing authority) and patients (who can purchase ivermectin without a prescription). The law does not change ivermectin's FDA-approved uses or medical guidelines.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026
Last action Jan 16, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
4
Jan 16, 2026
Committee
To Judiciary
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported do pass, but first to Judiciary
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
To Health and Human Resources
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
To Health and Human Resources then Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Patricia Rucker
RRepublican
Co
Brian Helton
RRepublican
Co
Chris Rose
RRepublican
Co
Darren Thorne
RRepublican
Co
Mike Azinger
RRepublican
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