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H 3916

Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Thomas Beach and 4 co-sponsors

Allows over‑the‑counter sale of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine in SC without prescription or pharmacist consultation.

Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Edgerton
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Bill Summary · H 3916

Summary — H 3916 (Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine)

At a glance

  • Title: Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine
  • Primary action: Adds a new section (S.C. Code § 44-53-150) to allow over‑the‑counter (OTC) sale of ivermectin tablets and hydroxychloroquine tablets in South Carolina without a prescription or pharmacist/healthcare professional consultation.
  • Introduced: March 17, 2025 (Sponsor name Edgerton added April 10, 2025)
  • Effective date: Upon approval by the Governor (per bill text)

New statutory language (paraphrased/quoted): “Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, ivermectin tablets and hydroxychloroquine tablets may be made available to the public for over‑the‑counter purchase in this State. No prescription order or consultation with a pharmacist or other healthcare professional shall be required for such purchase.”

Purpose / intent

The bill’s stated purpose is to remove prescription and pharmacist‑consultation requirements for ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine tablets, making those two medicines available for OTC purchase statewide.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 44‑53‑150 to Title 44, Chapter 53, Article 3 of the South Carolina Code.
  • Explicitly permits retail sale of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine tablets directly to the public without:
    • a prescription order, and
    • any required consultation with a pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
  • Establishes the change as overriding other state law provisions to the contrary.
  • Takes effect immediately upon the Governor’s approval.

Who would be affected

  • Consumers / patients: would gain direct OTC access to these two medications without seeing a prescriber or consulting a pharmacist.
  • Retail pharmacies, grocery stores, and other OTC retailers: could sell these tablets without prescription or professional counseling (subject to federal and other law).
  • Prescribers and pharmacists: would lose state law‑based gatekeeping role for these specific products.
  • Payers/insurers: OTC status typically affects coverage and reimbursement (insurers may not reimburse OTC purchases).
  • State health agencies and public health systems: potentially affected by changes in medication use patterns and related monitoring needs.

Potential legal and regulatory implications (summary)

  • The bill would override South Carolina laws that currently require prescriptions or pharmacist involvement for these drugs.
  • Federal law/regulations (e.g., FDA labeling and approvals) remain applicable; OTC state authorization may create tensions with federal regulatory positions or product labeling.
  • Liability, labeling, age restrictions, storage and sale rules, and insurance coverage are not addressed by the bill and could require separate administrative or legislative action.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced March 17, 2025; sponsor additions recorded (Edgerton). The bill text states it becomes effective upon the Governor’s approval.
  • The supplied legislative activity list shows committee referrals, hearings, readings, and entries through late 2025; however, the record in the materials appears to combine entries from more than one bill and from different jurisdictions (see “Notes / data quality” below). Verify the official South Carolina legislative website for current, authoritative status.

Notes / data quality

  • The materials provided include text and docket information from a different, unrelated Massachusetts local bill (House Docket No. 4467 concerning police‑officer age limits). Those documents are not part of the South Carolina H 3916 substantive text.
  • Because the packet mixes records from multiple jurisdictions and bills, readers should consult the official South Carolina legislative tracking site or the bill sponsor’s office for the definitive bill text and current status.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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