Florida Republican lawmakers propose allowing pharmacists to dispense ivermectin to adults without a prescription as part of a broader Medical Freedom initiative. The measure grants immunity to pharmacists acting in good faith.
Expanding Access to the Anti-Parasitic Drug
The provision appears in legislation aimed at enhancing patient rights and curbing vaccine mandates. Currently, ivermectin requires a doctor’s prescription for human use, primarily against parasitic worms, lice, or rosacea. The drug also treats livestock conditions.
Sixteen other states have introduced or enacted similar laws to enable over-the-counter or prescription-free ivermectin sales.
Florida’s Push for Ivermectin
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo promotes ivermectin as a COVID-19 alternative during briefings and on social media, highlighting its antiviral potential. Conservative politicians and Governor Ron DeSantis echo this support, advocating widespread availability.
Most studies fail to confirm ivermectin’s effectiveness against COVID-19, sparking debates when doctors declined prescriptions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration warn of side effects including dizziness, nausea, and seizures.
Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill, sponsors the Medical Freedom bill. He argues it provides rural Floridians practical health options without delays. “This bill seeks to expand access by reducing barriers for patients who need this proven, safe medication,” Holcomb states in his analysis. “Passing this bill would empower patients, ease burdens on overextended healthcare systems, and ensure that essential medications are within reach for all who need them.”
Governor Ron DeSantis affirms his support on social media: “We are pushing for the Legislature to do the Ivermectin bill; I will sign it once passed.”
Ivermectin Research for Cancer
The Florida Department of Health allocates up to $2 million from the Cancer Innovation Fund to study ivermectin as a cancer therapy. Preliminary research suggests it may boost chemotherapy and immunotherapy, though human trials remain limited.
First Lady Casey DeSantis, a breast cancer survivor, backs the effort. “We should look at it. We should look at the benefits of it. We should not just speculate and guess. We should, as the state of Florida, with over a billion dollars in funding for cancer since Ron DeSantis took office, we should be looking into things in a generic form,” she states.
Interest surged in January 2025 after actor Mel Gibson claimed on a podcast that ivermectin cured friends’ advanced cancers. Cancer experts refute these assertions, citing a lack of clinical evidence. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles launches a study combining ivermectin with immunotherapy for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.
Expert Concerns on Safety and Dosage
Sunil Parikh, Yale School of Public Health professor of epidemiology and infectious diseases, warns of risks without physician oversight. He notes low doses for parasites in tropical areas. “When given by pharmacists, there would be no regulation on the dosage or amount that people would be taking,” Parikh says. “It’s not a completely benign drug. It’s relatively well tolerated, but it’s not without side effects.”
Side effects encompass gastrointestinal and neurological issues, with unknown safety in early pregnancy. Parikh fears delays in proven treatments could worsen outcomes. “It would be very unfortunate if people were to delay cancer treatment or use this as a way to treat their cancer instead of trying things we have that we know work,” he adds.
Pharmacists’ Perspectives
The bill mandates written information on indications, contraindications, and dosages. Lynn Lafferty, assistant clinical professor at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Pharmacy, notes studies showing benefits for COVID and other conditions. Many pharmacies stock limited quantities, with 20 tablets costing $114 to $157.
“We don’t see that many parasite cases,” Lafferty says, having dispensed it once. She anticipates demand growth if cancer studies prove positive, though approval processes take time.
Legislative Progress
Senate Bill 1756, sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, and House Bill 917 advance through committees.
