New Hampshire is one step closer to being the second state to make human-grade Ivermectin available over the counter without a prescription.
The Senate Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee passed HB1022 with a 3-2 vote on April 16, with an amendment that the bill will expire in two years. Another amendment to the bill is to establish a committee to study the use of Ivermectin.
A similar bill was signed into law by Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee on April 27. Other comparable legislation is pending in Kansas.
The New Hampshire bill must still be voted on by the entire Republican-controlled senate and receive final approval from Republican Governor Chris Sununu.
The Governor’s Office said in a statement, “If the bill reaches the Governor’s desk, he will carefully consider and review the final language of the legislation.”
Tom Sherman, one of two Democrats on the HHS committee who voted against the bill, called it “irresponsible.”
Approved for human use in 1987, Ivermectin is used to treat parasites like intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis, two conditions caused by parasitic worms. Additionally, some topical forms of Ivermectin are approved to treat external parasites like head lice.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not approved the use of Ivermectin for coronavirus.
Republican Representative Jim Kofalt, who co-sponsored the bill, thinks it makes sense as it facilitates safer use of Ivermectin by requiring people to consult a pharmacist first, meaning they must obtain it locally.
“We actually see this as a way to improve overall health for New Hampshire residents,” Kofalt said. “The problem we see right now is that people are ordering from overseas and they’re getting it from sources that they don’t know very well.”
NBC News reports Republican Senate Majority Leader Senator Jeb Bradley argues there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that Ivermectin is effective at helping people recover from COVID-19.
“I think Ivermectin is something that will prove to be something that can work for a lot of people,” said Bradley. “We’ve had [a] tremendous amount of testimony, people who have used Ivermectin and absolutely swear by it.”
There are no current laws barring doctors anywhere from prescribing Ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. However, doctors who have done so have been disciplined by their state’s licensing board, with some having their licenses suspended.
While Ivermectin is not considered safe in pregnant women, according to a 2021 German study, only sixteen deaths have been attributed to the anti-parasitic drug out of the 3.9 billion doses surveyed.
