SF2898

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to make ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine more accessible to the public by allowing them to be sold over the counter without the need for a prescription or consultation with healthcare professionals.

Main Provisions

• Over-the-Counter Access: The bill mandates that all registered pharmacies and licensed pharmacists in Minnesota must sell ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as over-the-counter drugs. This means that these drugs would be available for purchase by consumers without a prescription.
• Definition Update: A new subdivision is added to the Minnesota Statutes, defining an "over-the-counter drug" as one that is legally available for retail sale without requiring a prescription or consultation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends the current laws to redefine the way ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are distributed by pharmacies in Minnesota. Currently, these drugs usually require a prescription, but under the proposed law, they would not.
• This change makes these medications broadly accessible, bypassing the usual requirement for medical oversight when obtaining these drugs.

Relevant Terms

• Over-the-counter drug
• Ivermectin
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Minnesota Statutes
• Prescription
• Pharmacist